“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 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 anything of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways”. – James 1:5-8
LIGHT FOR NOW: In an ever-changing world with ever-changing people, we have a never-changing God who is consistent in all ways.
What did James mean by “receive anything from the Lord” in verse 7? The phrase “he shall receive” implies literally “to take from or take of”. Every time it was used by the authors, it was to describe an action; hence, it was never passive in its application. The following are instances where it was used: John 6:32 “Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven”. Notice his emphasis on the character of God;
• “…my Father giveth you”
• “…and giveth life unto”
In verse 35, he explained the responsibility of the recipient – to receive what the father has given by believing. God’s responsibility, which was demonstrated by his character of love, was to give his son. Our responsibility is to receive by believing. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life”. The fact that he died for the world does not translate automatically to the world having everlasting life.
Everlasting life is also received when a man believes. This receiving is an activity that happens consciously. Believing is an activity that shows that there is a responsibility on the part of the recipient to receive what the father gave in his son. Thus, when a man chooses to receive (what God has given), it does not change the character of God as one who gives to all without finding fault. God’s consistent character will not change because of your lack of understanding of that character. Glory!
INSTRUCTION: Know God for who he is.
CONFESSION: I know my father; my father is consistent in all his ways; his character of giving is never-ending and never-changing, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
QUOTE: God is consistent in all his ways.
DAILY BIBLE READING: MORNING: JAMES CHAPTER 1; EVENING: JAMES CHAPTER 5
LIGHT FROM THE WORD 