Day 2 - 40 Days of WISDOM
Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days of WISDOM
Day 2 | ASK, EXPECT, RECEIVE
40 Days of WISDOM
Day 2 | ASK, EXPECT, RECEIVE
ASK, EXPECT, RECEIVE
James 1:5-7
“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.” (NLT)
Did you ever ask for something when you were a kid? Maybe you asked your parents for a dog, a bike, or something else. Did you honestly expect to receive it, or were you just hoping?
For many of us, we don’t correctly approach the LORD for things (like wisdom). Later in James 4, we read: “And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.”
Turning to today’s verses, we learn several things.
We are told again that God is a generous God and wants to give His children the things they need and want. (Like wisdom)
But we also learn that our asking can be that of someone with “divided loyalty.”
The AMP Bible says: “But he must ask [for wisdom] in faith, without doubting [God’s willingness to help].”
We must have faith in GOD alone. Remember Exodus 20:5 (10 Commandments): “You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God.”
Here, our Lord God (proving again He never changes) is still telling His children (the Israelites then, Christians today) that we must have faith in Him alone.
Regarding wisdom… He has it all stored up and wants us to give it to us if we ask, but He wants to be THE Source of wisdom, not just one of many sources.
So, if you don’t know what to do about a situation, ASK. But before you do, make sure your loyalty, faith, and focus are on the One True Lord God.
Prayer: LORD, You alone are God, the all-wise Creator of the universe. I seek You; I love YOU; I desire to receive wisdom from You. Thank You. Amen.
James 1:5-7
“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.” (NLT)
Did you ever ask for something when you were a kid? Maybe you asked your parents for a dog, a bike, or something else. Did you honestly expect to receive it, or were you just hoping?
For many of us, we don’t correctly approach the LORD for things (like wisdom). Later in James 4, we read: “And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.”
Turning to today’s verses, we learn several things.
We are told again that God is a generous God and wants to give His children the things they need and want. (Like wisdom)
But we also learn that our asking can be that of someone with “divided loyalty.”
The AMP Bible says: “But he must ask [for wisdom] in faith, without doubting [God’s willingness to help].”
We must have faith in GOD alone. Remember Exodus 20:5 (10 Commandments): “You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God.”
Here, our Lord God (proving again He never changes) is still telling His children (the Israelites then, Christians today) that we must have faith in Him alone.
Regarding wisdom… He has it all stored up and wants us to give it to us if we ask, but He wants to be THE Source of wisdom, not just one of many sources.
So, if you don’t know what to do about a situation, ASK. But before you do, make sure your loyalty, faith, and focus are on the One True Lord God.
Prayer: LORD, You alone are God, the all-wise Creator of the universe. I seek You; I love YOU; I desire to receive wisdom from You. Thank You. Amen.