In James 1:5-8 I read, “If you want to know what God wants you to do, ask him . . . but . . . if you don’t ask with faith, don’t expect the Lord to give you any solid answer." (TLB)
God wants to direct me in life, but two things need to line up: I need to ask the right person, God, and I need to ask with and right attitude in faith, trusting him to provide the answer.
The Bible says, “If you want to know what God wants you to do, ask him . . . but . . . if you don’t ask with faith, don’t expect the Lord to give you any solid answer” (James 1:5-8 TLB).
In my life, I have asked God for something but did not expect to get it. And that’s why I didn’t. God works in my life according to faith.
So often I say, “God, please guide me!” and then walk away without waiting for guidance. I just immediately get to work on the problem. I may say that I want God to give me wisdom and to help me make the right decision, but I don’t really expect him to. I think it all depends on me.
But God has promised to give me wisdom, if I ask for it. Wisdom is seeing life from God’s point of view. Wisdom is the ability to make decisions the way God makes decisions.
Think about this: God never makes a bad decision. He never makes a mistake. He says if I trust and listen to him, he will guide me. But I must first ask in faith.
In summary, If I want to know what God wants me to do, ask him, but if I don’t ask with faith, don’t expect the Lord to give me any solid answer. God wants to direct me, but two things need to line up: I need to ask the right person, God, and I need to ask with the right attitude in faith, trusting him to provide the answer. Asking God for something but not expecting to get it won’t work. God works in my life according to faith. Often I’ve said, “God, please guide me!” and then walk away without waiting for guidance. I just immediately got to work on the problem. I may say that I want God to give me wisdom and to help me make the right decision, but I don’t really expect him to. I think it all depends on me. But God has promised to give me wisdom, if I ask for it. Wisdom is seeing life from God’s point of view. Wisdom is the ability to make decisions the way God makes decisions. God never makes a bad decision. He never makes a mistake. He says if I trust and listen to him, he will guide me. But I must first ask in faith.
James talks about not only knowledge but the ability to make wise decisions in difficult circumstances. When I ask, God will supply generously to help guide my choices. The wisdom from God is practical and helps choose the action to take. It is divine, it goes beyond common sense. It starts with respect for God, leads to living by God's direction, and results in the ability to tell right from wrong. It is also Christlike. So, I must not only believe in the existence of God but also in his loving care. Relying on and expecting that he will hear and answer. I must put away my critical attitude when I come to him. God will not grant every thoughtless or selfish request. I must have confidence that God will align my desires with his purposes. I need to rely on God to show me what is best for me. Ask him for wisdom, and trust that he will give it to me. If I do, then my decisions will be sure and solid.
Father, thank you for Your Word and Jesus as my savior and example. You want me and I need you in my life. Please give me Your strength for today and remind me in little ways that I can always believe in, have faith in and can trust you in everything. This includes being the authority for my life, the source of my self-worth and my hope for the future. You have my best interests in mind. So I ask you to help me to embrace the way you’ve made me; my gifting and passions. Help me to serve and fulfill the mission you have in mind for me.
Today, I ask you for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership, my interactions with others, doing well and making a difference in others lives. I pray all these things through your Son Jesus’ name, Amen.
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