Thoughts for another day

April 9, 2013.

Today's verse: James 1:6-8. 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. (KJV)

(Pls. read the above before you read further.  Thanks)

Declaration of faith in God is easy to make and that even before a congregation, but affirmation of faith, something that happens between God and us, is difficult, because God tests the reality of our faith and in that, we’re found wanting at some point of time or other.  I’ve seen that when God tests our faith, either through a trial or holding something back from us, we often falter in our so-called faith and fail.  In His mercy, God may grant us the thing we ask, but not before we learn a lesson (if we’re in the Lord and keen to learn) so that we may talk about it. But it’s difficult to demonstrate faith when things are tough.

In Scripture today, James exhorts us that when we ask of God, we must ask in faith. We must believe God is and He is able to give what we’ve asked Him and also that He will do it for us.  If any of these are absent, then there could be what I may call, a shortage of faith due to which we may not receive what we ask for.

Human beings vacillate so much, particularly in faith matters, it’s amazing.  That’s why James uses symbolism of ‘wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed’ for that’s what we are: one moment we’re willing to believe and the next, we question the very Presence of God.  I know because I’ve done it and it’s to my woe; for if we do that James says that, that man shouldn’t think he’ll receive anything of the Lord.  Moreover, the man is double-minded and he’ll not be serious about other things too.  My friend, check your faith in the Lord.  You may say it’s difficult sometimes to believe in God and I’d agree with you, but believe me, at the very instant of maximum difficulty, if we can trust Him fully, then I know He will be pleased and grant you what you’ve asked for immediately, just as Jesus couldn’t deny the Canaanite woman the healing she asked for her daughter and said, ‘O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt.’ Mt: 15:28.