5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. James 1:5,6 (NKJV)
By Bro. John L. Cash, “Country Preacher Dad”
I believe God hears and answers every prayer we offer up. But I’m sure you’ll agree He doesn’t answer “yes” to every request we make. Sometimes He says “yes,” sometimes He answers “no,” and many times He tells us to “wait.” Because He is the Lord of the universe, He knows what’s best for us. And He always answers our prayers according to His will.
But did you know that the Bible tells us there is one prayer that God always says “yes” to? Today’s Scripture text (at the top of the page) tells us about the prayer that’s always a “sure thing.” St. James tells us that if we ask God for wisdom in a given situation, He will give it to us. There is only one condition we must meet to have this prayer answered. The passage tells us we must ask God “in faith, with no doubting.”
The longer I live, the more I have been taking the Lord up on this gracious offer. When I was younger, I often asked God for material things or for a situation to be taken away from me. And, sometimes He said “yes” and sometimes He said “no.” I still pray prayers like that. But as time passes I have learned that many times I already have the material resources I need at my disposal. I just need wisdom to use the things I already have. And, when the situation doesn’t change–well, then I just need the wisdom to thrive in the circumstances I’m already in.
Dear mama, isn’t it exciting to have this “blank check” from our Heavenly Father? When in doubt this week, remember to ask the Lord for wisdom, and then patiently wait for the insight that He sends. He has promised in His word “it will be given.”
Dr. John L. Cash is the “Country Preacher Dad.” He was raised in Stuttgart, Arkansas, and is finishing up his 25th year of being a country preacher in the piney woods five miles south of the little town of Hickory, Mississippi. (On week days he works at a public school.) He and his lovely wife, Susan, and his sons, Spencer (age 19) and Seth (age 15) live in the parsonage next door to the Antioch Christian Church (where lots of prayers are offered up to God, and He answers them.) He would love to hear from you in an email sent to extramailbox@juno.com.
