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James 1:2-4 highlights and take away

How to Navigate Trials

So, we are to consider the trials in our lives with joy and let the steadfastness that comes from our tested faith have it’s full effect, and if we know that’s the what that needs to happen in our lives to mature us and perfect us, then what is the how that will get us there?

The answer is wisdom from the Lord. Now, don’t mistake wisdom from the Lord as just knowledge. Knowledge in and of itself is only information and knowing a lot about something can make you arrogant. To know more about who God is, which we see so clearly in the life of Jesus Christ, should bring about a humility of heart. It should produce a sense of joy, peace, trust, security and love. The knowledge that we obtain from scripture helps us see the goodness of God and, if we let it, we allow it to help us see ourselves how He sees us which is or should be how we see our true identity as a child of God!

Colossians 3:1–4 ESV

1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Our Life is Hidden with Christ In God and Christ is our life.

Life - Zoe - OF absolute fulness of life, both essential and ethical, which belongs to God.

Life real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed, in the portion even in this world of those who put their trust in Christ

Before Christ we found our life in ourselves and everything we tried to find fulfillment in. After Christ we are found in him and we are called to live a life lived active and vigorous, devoted to God!

Often times I don’t feel like I need wisdom so much as discipline, but Wisdom is knowledge put into practice which is discipline.

Proverbs 2:6–8 ESV

6 For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; 7 he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, 8 guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints.

The problem is, we’ve got a couple of things working against us.

We have the world that is filled with it’s scoffers and naysayers not to mention its plethora of temptations and idols to pursue.

We also have our flesh, which we will also see in the book of James, is filled with evil desires. The book of Ephesians tells us that our desires are deceitful so we’ve got that to battle as well.

Lastly, we have the influence of the spiritual forces in this world that are opposed to God and His plan and people. Ephesians 6:10-13

Ephesians 6:13 ESV

13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

Sounds pretty daunting doesn’t it? That’s why it is so important to be rooted in the truth.

James 1:5–8 ESV

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

What is James saying here? He’s saying, if any of us lack wisdom, let him as God.

What is wisdom?

Noah Webster’s definition

Wisdom - The right use or exercise of knowledge.

So, it’s not just knowledge, its’ taking what you know and using it or applying it to your life. but why ask God for it? Verse 5 states one reason. Because God gives it generously. He isn’t stingy with it. Because He loves us, because he wants to accomplish His purpose through us, he is more than happy to give us what we need when it comes to all kinds of things, let alone when it comes to wisdom.

(David Guzik)  “Trials bring a necessary season to seek wisdom from God. We often don’t know we need wisdom until our time of difficulty. Once in a time of trial, we need to know if a particular trial is something God wants us to eliminate by faith or persevere in by faith. This requires wisdom.”

(Spurgeon) “We are all so ready to go to books, to go to men, to go to ceremonies, to anything except to God… Consequently, the text does not say, ‘Let him ask books,’ nor ‘ask priests,’ but, ‘let him ask of God.’”

Without reproach simply means God won’t ridicule you or look down on you for not having it in the first place.

“This is added, lest any one should fear to come too often to God… for he is ready ever to add new blessings to former ones, without any end or limitation.” (Calvin)

Knowing God’s generosity — that He never despises or resents us for asking for wisdom — should encourage us to ask Him often. We understand that He is the God of the open hand, not the God of the clenched fist.

Part of our problem is many of us will be tempted at times to view God the Father through the lens of our earthly father or family. If we were met as children with frustration, disgust and distain when we asked for something we needed, then we are taught that we aren’t worth being heard or listened to and that our requests are just annoying to those who supposedly love us. We take that mentality into our relationship with the Father and we shy away from going and asking for what we need because we might be tempted to think, “well, if our parents saw us as an irritation and annoyance, then surely God, who sees everything, will see through us and be the same if not worse.”

Remember, we may grieve God with our sin, but he still desires for us to come to Him, first for forgiveness and restoration, but for help in our time of need.

Hebrews 4:14–16 ESV

14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

The Father is waiting on His throne of Grace, ready to give Mercy and Grace to help in our time of need.

James 1:6 ESV

6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

Doubt - to separate thoroughly, to withdraw from, to discriminate, hesitate

Waves are most commonly caused by wind. Wind-driven waves, or surface waves, are created by the friction between wind and surface water. As wind blows across the surface of the ocean or a lake, the continual disturbance creates a wave crest. (from oceanservice.NOAA.gov)

We are to ask God out of our faith in Him, not withdrawing from Him or the knowledge of His goodness and Love for us. Not hesitating at all. This hesitation isn’t like “do we believe God can do this” it’s more like “can I trust that He is the only source I should rely on”?

It’s a matter of allowing the joy of the Lord to overshadow your circumstances. Realizing and knowing He is God is one thing, but look at what Hebrews 11 says. Verse 6.

Hebrews 11:6 ESV

6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Psalm 9:10 ESV

And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.

Our God, Yahweh, is a rewarding God. He doesn’t say, “Hey, go ahead and seek me and you’ll find me, and all of a sudden hide from you. It may feel sometimes like you are following the path you are suppose to, and you very well could be, but there will be times when it feels like the rug has been pulled out from under you. This is the testing of your faith that produces steadfastness. in that moment, you will require wisdom to be able to apply what you know about the God who loves you and wants the best for you. He’s the one who gives that wisdom generously but we have to be grounded in the truth of who we know God to be.

“The man who is not thoroughly persuaded that if he ask of God he shall receive, resembles a wave of the sea; he is in a state of continual agitation; driven by the wind, and tossed: now rising by hope, then sinking by despair.” (Clarke)

James 1:7–8 ESV

7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

This is the result and reason behind not receiving what you need from the Lord. If we are going to allow ourselves to be tossed around in the wind because we are not grounded in our faith then our minds won’t be led by His Spirit to even know what He wants for us. We should not suppose that we will receive anything from the Lord.

You might say, “but didn’t you just say that He is a rewarding God?” Yes, of those who seek Him. But when we aren’t grounded in His truth and the security of His love for us then we aren’t dependent on His Spirit to lead us. When we are, it’s a whole different ball game.

1 John 5:14–15 ESV

14 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.

This idea of a double-minded man:

To ask God but to ask Him in a doubting way, shows that we are double-minded. If we had no faith, we would never ask at all. If we had no unbelief, we would have no doubting. To be in the middle ground between faith and unbelief is to be double-minded. (David Guzik)

“The man of two souls, who has one for the earth, and another for heaven: who wishes to secure both worlds; he will not give up earth, and he is loath to let heaven go.” (Clarke)

The man who said to Jesus, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24) was not double-minded. He wanted to believe, and declared his belief. His faith was weak, but it wasn’t tinged with a double-minded doubt.

Closing Thought from Charles Spurgeon - “Do you believe that God can give you wisdom, and that he will do so if you ask him? Then, go at once to him, and say, ‘Lord, this is what I need.’ Specify your wants, state your exact condition, lay the whole case before God with as much orderliness as if you were telling your story to an intelligent friend who was willing to hear it, and prepared to help you; and then say, ‘Lord, this is specifically what I think I want; and I ask this of thee believing that thou canst give it to me.’”

Ask in faith and God will give you the wisdom you need to face whatever you are facing. Trust Him.

Psalm 37:1–9 ESV

1 Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! 2 For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb. 3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. 4 Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. 6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. 7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! 8 Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. 9 For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.

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