ally and generously. He will not withhold any good thing from them who walk uprightly. He desires to meet the specific needs of His children, and to do exceeding abundantly above all we could ask or think. James says Cod "upbraid- eth not" which means that He does not give gifts and then constantly remind the receiver of His bene faction . He is not like the parent who is always chiding his child, reminding him of the great sacri fices he has had to make. James does not explain the pro cess by which this promised wis dom is imparted. He simply gives the formula, the source and the manner. We may therefore safely assume that it comes in many dif ferent ways, always depending up on various circumstances. That God gives it is sufficient evidence for us to rest our case. Heavenly in struction usually comes directly or indirectly through the Word of God. According to verse 6 persistence in prayer is not enough. "Faith" is another essential ingredient. Con fidence in the God who answers prayer is always an indispensable element of intercession. Coming to Cod in any other fashion a person is compared to the ever-changing waves of the sea. This is the way a man acts when he has misgivings and doubts in prayer. Sometimes an inner spiritual struggle is in volved. Perhaps an individual wants a gift from the Lord. He knows, however, if he receives it he must expect certain changes in his life. These he may be unwilling to ac cept. James says of such a person, in rather strong language, "Let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord." To pre
we can be rich in spiritual wisdom and wealth. After all, the riches of this world are only temporary. The bounties of heaven are abso lutely eternal. James is to the New Testament what Proverbs is to the Old. Both writers quickly move from one subject to another. There may not appear to be any apparent con necting links. Yet, on closer exam ination a sequence of thought is absolutely discernable. James is very fond of approaching a subject from different vantage points. As an example, in each chapter of this personal letter he discusses the problem of the tongue. The same is true with many other top ics of importance. The suggestion comes, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of Cod" (vrs. 5). This is not to be considered as a "blank check." If it were how would you explain all of the ignorance of Christian peo ple today? James refers to some thing far more than acquired knowledge or intellectual compre hension. He is talking about that kind of wisdom which will enable Christian people to bear up under the trials and troubles. Such will produce patience and discernment to know and t odo the will of Cod even under adverse circumstances of life. Patience will have an op portunity to do its perfecting work only when the child of God uses heavenly wisdom to endure the trials that come his way. The tested believer is only to ask of God for the necessary un derstanding. The present tense is used on the verb which suggests a continuing process for we have continual needs. When the condi tions are met God will give liber- Page 46
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