Devotion for Wednesday, August 31st, 2011

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.  For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.  A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.-James 1:6-8

The context of this verse is talking about the person who is asking for wisdom.  He says to ask in faith, nothing wavering.  The idea here is that you are asking in complete confidence, knowing that what you are asking God can answer, and believing that He will answer.  When you are asking for wisdom, James has already said that you’ll get it.  You can have confidence in that kind of a prayer.
James also makes this statement- “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”  When you ask like– “I don’t really know if I want it”, or “I’m not sure if God will give it, but I know I need it….Ok God, I guess I would like some wisdom…”  This is not the way to ask.  This is not faith- this is doubt!  You can have confidence in God.
Application:
James is not saying that it is wrong to have questions for God, or even to have doubts.  A single-minded person takes those real questions to the One who can answer them- God.  Are you going through something difficult?  Today, ask God for wisdom confidently.  He will answer your request!