Tuesday, February 8th, 2022

One thing we all seem to want, especially as it relates to our nation, communities, jobs, and certainly our own lives, is a voice in our affairs. None of us really relishes situations where things are dictated to us, and we do not get to really understand why. But, such is a life of faith -- hearing and knowing God but not seeing or fully understanding His ways. It can be especially difficult when what we hear from God goes against what we want or believe is the best course of action. James taught the following, "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do." What James is teaching that when we come to a trial in life, first, we need to understand that trial is from God, and God does not give us trials we cannot face. Secondly, we are to go to God for wisdom, and He will give us an answer without finding fault in what led us to the trial -- He will not hold back His grace because our sin and poor decisions brought us to our current predicament. Lastly, and most importantly, when we receive our answer, which He will give, we are to act upon it. However, when we take God's answer as just one of many voices and counsels, God considers us "double-minded and unstable in all [we] do." When we doubt the wisdom of God's answer, and seek earthly answers instead, we will assuredly be "like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind." We know that what God tells us to do is seldom what we want to do, and often will come with personal sacrifice. But hearing, believing, and unquestioningly doing God's word is the way that we are to be blessed on the other side of a trial. If there is one true example of this in the Bible, it is Noah. Noah was told by God to spend 120 years building the ark, no doubt toiling day in and day out to build something so large in anticipation of a flood he, and everyone else, had never seen before. But we know the end to that story, and how he was blessed because of it. Genesis 6:22 says, "Noah did everything just as God commanded him." What's more, Noah is also the only major patriarch of the Bible to never have a conversation with God. He had no voice, debate, or even a quick Q&A with God to better understand His plan. He just did as God told him, despite all the challenges that came with it. Today, if you are facing a trial, seek God's wisdom -- then act upon His word instead of questioning it or seeking other counsel.

"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do." -- James 1:6-8 NIV

"Noah did everything just as God commanded him." -- Genesis 6:22