The Prayer Filled Life – Day 67 – James 1:5-8 – If Any Of You Lacks Wisdom – Growing As Disciples
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. James 1:5-8 (NIV)
Nothing Could Be More Obvious
I will start by admitting that nothing could be more obvious. Nothing could be more glaringly apparent. Nothing could be more easily recognizable. What are you talking about? What is so obvious and glaring apparent, and easily recognizable? I am not wise. Now, I want to make one additional point crystal clear before I go any further. What point do you want to make? My lack of wisdom is so obvious and glaringly apparent and easily recognizable to everyone else, except to me. That is how unwise I am. Or, I could also say that is how foolish I have been. But I should not stop at acknowledging my lack of wisdom and my foolishness. Why is that? There is something worse and darker and more sinister within in me. If I was only unwise and foolish that would be bad enough. But there is a sadder reason for my lack of wisdom and my large amount of foolishness. What is that? I am filled with pride. There, I have said it. I admit that my foolish pride has prevented me from asking you for wisdom because I have thought of myself as being wise. I have thought that I had no need of any help. I have been self-reliant and self-sufficient. I have been strong willed and independent. That is not good. I know. My lack of wisdom and my large amount of foolishness has caused me a great deal of pain. I cannot tell you how many unwise and foolish decisions I have made. There is no need of that, I already know, and even far better than you know yourself. Of that, I am sure.
What do you want to do now? How do you want to change your course? Well, I think that I am where you want me to be. Where is that? I am freely admitting my lack of wisdom to you. That’s good. I am also ready to take the next step that I know you want me to take. What step is that? I will ask you for the wisdom I need. I believe that you have brought me to this place. You have given me the desire to place all my faith and hope and trust in you. I want to leave my pride and foolishness behind me. I want to rely on you and your wisdom. So here I am, humbly asking you for your wisdom. Guide all my thoughts and words and actions by your wisdom. Guide the entire course of my life by your wisdom. Help me to know and do your will. Help me to live the life that you have called me to live. I will hear and answer your prayer. I will generously give you, my wisdom. Thank you, Heavenly Father.
Heavenly Father, there is one thing of which I am certain. There is one thing of which I have no doubt. I am not wise. I lack wisdom. Of that there is no question. So, with a heart filled with faith, I will ask you for your wisdom. Guide my life by your wisdom. Amen
Key Question… How are you now asking for and relying on God’s wisdom to guide the course of your life?
Living It Out… Admit to God that you are not wise and ask Him to give you wisdom to guide all your thoughts, words, and actions.
Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will give you all the wisdom you will need to guide the course of your life.
Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are asking for and relying on God’s wisdom.
Prayer To Bless Others… May you, with a heart filled with faith, ask God for His wisdom.
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