First Hindrance

James 1:6

6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. (KJV)

In verse 5 James tells us that God is generous in answering our prayers for wisdom. And in the above verse James tells us that we must ask believing that God will actually answer. Asking in faith is a real challenge for many if not even most Christians. Why?

Because many Christians, especially in this country, are not used to believing that God literally means what He says. James says, "nothing wavering". Let us put that into normal 21st century English- "not doubt." James is saying here you must really honestly believe in your heart WITH NO DOUBTS ENTERTAINED IN YOUR HEAD OR HEART. Otherwise you will be like a boat or ship tossed by the waves. You ever been out on a boat, especially when the waves are high? That boat gets tossed around by rough water. But what happens when the boat is anchored in rough water? It gets tossed too but not perhaps as badly, cause it can’t go anywhere really. Kind of like when the Christian is experiencing trying times, but is anchored to the rock, Jesus Christ, so does not get washed away. Remember Jesus’ story about the house built on the rock. Jesus said "WHEN the winds blow and the rain comes, the house on the rock stays standing. Notice Jesus did not say "if". He said "when". Trying times are sure to come in the life of every Christian.

To get back to James-he tells us that when we ask God for His wisdom,-and I apply this to whatever I ask for because of various other scriptures in the bible, one must honestly believe God is going to give an answer. Doubting that He will answer will stop you from hearing God’s answer. You get tossed back and forth in your mind, did He or didn’t He say this? Or that? Has God really answered or do I need to still wait? I know one person who has gotten answers from God but not really believed that the answers she got were really God’s answers. Why? I believe it is because she didn’t really want to accept the answers she was given, she didn’t want to believe what she heard from Him. She also didn’t want to believe that God often times speaks through other people when giving His answer. Sometimes God speaks directly to your heart. Sometimes He speaks directly to your mind, even in words, other times He speaks through a person you know, or a situation. And if the answer one gets is not liked, it is easy to throw it out the window and decide that it really was not God.

One of the keys to recognizing God’s voice is knowing what His character is like. Another key is knowing the Word of God. And by the way, folks, God never contradicts Himself. When He sends you His word on something, He confirms it. Sometimes through 3 or 4 sources. And He tailor makes His answers just for your needs and your situation and for your personality. He doesn’t just give you an answer, either, He gives you reality. And He is consistent. He truly is just like a solid rock. Which is why He has been symbolized in scripture with a rock.

If you have asked God for wisdom, say for example, in going in a certain direction in your life, then you can expect He will provide it in some way or another. You can literally expect that wisdom to be given to you. You can literally expect Him to tell you what direction you are to take. Again, He will use one means or another to get it across to you and as I said before, He will confirm it to you at least one or two more times. He may be willing in certain cases to confirm it to you even as often as 6-10 times if it is needed. He knows what is needed. He also knows how good of a listener you are.

Have you been asking God for wisdom in certain decision making or in certain situations? Well, expect Got to give you that wisdom, generously, in superabundance. He delights to give it. Don’t doubt, cause you can’t receive when you doubt. It stops up your ears. Think of doubt as a glob of mud in your ears, making you deaf. So give up the habit of doubting, and choose to put your faith in the God who saved you. Remember, faith is a decision, not a feeling. Operate by faith, not feelings. Your feelings are part of your flesh. Operate by faith and eventually the feelings will follow obediently. Faith is a decision in your mind and heart and it not emotional. And those of you out there who are ladies, remember this especially. For we females think with our emotions also and in matters of faith, we have to work harder than guys do to operate by faith rather than feeling. But it is learnable. Just like we seem to have natural intuition, and men have to learn it. God can develop it in them too.

So if you are seeking God about something-well you know now what to do. Believe you will get the answer. And when you do, be obedient. Otherwise your asking will do you no good, even getting the answer will be no good. You have to be willing to be obedient also.

Next week I am going to delve in to the book of John in connection to today’s devotional. You will see why when I do it next week.