When we don’t know what to do, ask God for help. It’s that simple.
Trials disrupt our normal. They bring uncertainty, confusion, and fear. They are difficult to navigate. Moving through them often requires wisdom and insight that we don’t have. James offered a simple solution to those who don’t know what to do. Ask God for help.
Notice four observations about this verse. It’s a conditional statement. It contains a command. It describes God’s character. And it provides a promise.
Wisdom for trials is conditioned upon asking God for it. The word then is missing but implied. If any of you lacks wisdom, (then) let him ask God. Ask is another command from James. It’s also in the present tense which means the asking is to be continual. It is an asking with urgency. It’s that simple. If you need wisdom, then ask God to give it.
James also described God as a generous giver who is ready and willing to help us in our trials. Because of that, James gave a promise: God will respond. Let me emphasize what James said: it will be given to him. What will be given? The wisdom that was requested. That’s a promise. It’s that simple.
Lacking wisdom is a common occurrence in missions. Missionaries are normal people seeking to serve Jesus to the ends of the earth. But they still face heartaches, troubles, and distress as they attempt to reach the unreached.
Wisdom is needed to reach the unreached who have settled in the Caribbean Basin. Numbers of Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists have settled in this region. They come from people groups with not gospel witness. They are displaced from their homeland. Missionaries and churches in that region need wisdom to engage these peoples with the gospel.
What trials are you facing right now? Ask God for wisdom. What missionaries do you know who need wisdom for their ministry? Ask God to give them wisdom too. And remember this promise from James: if you lack wisdom, ask God and it will be given.
Prayer:
“Heavenly Father, I need your wisdom for my challenges. Please provide it. I also ask that you help the missionary force in the Caribbean to as they attempt to reach those who’ve been displaced from their home countries.”
Prayer requests for the Caribbean Basin:
- Pray for a Jamaican church planting triad as they engage a Buddhist community.
- Pray for a Guyana church planting triad as they engage two local Muslim majority villages.
- Pray for God to send more laborers to reach these people.
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