God wants us to progress, to move onward so that there will be nothing lacking or wanting in our spiritual growth. There are some three thou sand promises in the Word of God. All of them, however, have conditions which first of all must be met (Matt. 6:33, Psa. 37:4). Finally, if all of this is hard to understand, and it is, the Lord wants us to ask Him for wisdom to understand. God actually urges us, “Just ask Me!” (vs. 5). Unless we understand why trials confront our lives, there is a grave danger that we’ll become bitter instead of better; resentful and rebellious instead of righteous. “How is it possible to look at trials beneficially?” The Holy Spirit indwells the life of each born-again believer. “Unless there is within us that which is above us, we shall soon yield to that which is about us,” someone has said. Not too long ago I read about a town down in Texas along the Louisiana border which has the very unusual name of “Uncertain.” Think of it! One would feel a bit strange with such an address. I'm afraid there are many people who live in that very community, s p ir itu a lly speaking. They are the ones who believe their doubts and doubt their beliefs. The Word of God was penned for a vital purpose, even as the apostle wrote, “These things have I written unto you that ye may know that ye have eternal life.” We must have this as surance through comprehension of God’s will and ways. James tells us that God wants to give us this divine wisdom liberally. Frankly, without apology, I admit I need it every day. Liberally means that it is spread, or stretched out in every direction. Someone may say, “Well, why do we need to ask God for what He already knows we must have ?” Prayer is not to change God’s mind. When we come to Him, humbly as a child would come to his father, 8
it shows that we are completely and wholly dependent upon Him. He gives th is wisdom liberally. The word means too that He gives it to us singly. It shows individual con cern. God is not only interested in the Billy Grahams, the pastors, the Bible teachers, the well-known per sonalities He’s vitally interested in you, even though it may seem to you that there is1no one else on the face of the earth who cares one single bit about you. God knows and you may be sure that He is concerned. Would that such bestowal of love were as natural for us! God doesn’t start an argument as to whether we need wis dom or not. He doesn’t scare us away by questioning, “Why are you com ing to me again; what’s the reason for it” ? Not a bit of it! There is an abundant supply waiting for us to take. The Lord never scolds us for ask ing. There is not even a gentle re proach in any sense. The Bible tells us that “the Lord upbraideth not.” Experiencing trials of life as far as the world is concerned, the best theory others can advance is, “Well, you made your bed. Now you’re just going to have to lie in it.” A man told his friend that whenever he and his wife had problems, she always got historical. The other fellow was amused and corrected him, “You mean, she gets hysterical, don’t you?” The maligned husband in sisted, “Not my wife. She gets his torical. She keeps throwing up the past to me.” Well, you see, God never says, “I told you so.” The other night as I was doing some scripts, my boy across the way was at his homework. I was tired; I had risen early; it had been a hard day. Jimmy asked me a rather ele mentary question, for he’s only 11. I heard myself saying, “Why don’t you just use your own good common sense, son?” I had to apologize later. Aren’t you glad the Lord never says that? “He that spared not His own
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