SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)
Yesterday we looked at three essential keys when facing a trial. Today, I want to tackle the fourth key.
4.) A Believing Heart
When trials come what should we pray about, what should we pray for? James makes it pretty clear, pray for wisdom. Now I know what your thinking, “Why not pray for strength, grace, mercy or deliverance? Why wisdom?”
James has a lot to say about wisdom. Later in James 3 we find this passage.
James 3:13-17
Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.
We need wisdom so we will not waste the opportunities God is giving us to mature. Wisdom helps us understand how to use these circumstances for our good and God's glory.
Wisdom is what we pray for when trials come but how do we pray? By faith! James draws a vivid picture about unbelief in prayer. He refers to those who don’t pray by faith like waves, up and down they go. One minute we have the faith to move a mountain and next we doubt God will really answer. Listen to what Jesus said about prayer.
Mark 11:24
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
We are God’s children and He loves to care for us. If we truly believe we have received it, it will be ours! Now, I want to caution all of you reading this. That does not mean that God is are own personal genie. If we believe enough we get anything we want. God wants to see us mature and become more and more like His Son, Christ. God has our best in mind, always! Wisdom helps us see that perspective.
Peter gives us an amazing example of someone who is tossed like the waves with unbelief. In Matthew 14:22-33 we read the story of Peter walking out on the water to meet Jesus. By faith, Peter walked on water! It was amazing but then his faith turn to doubt. “O you of little faith, why did you doubt? (Matthew 14:31)” When Peter started his walk of faith, he kept his eyes on Christ. But when he was distracted by the wind and waves, he ceased to walk by faith; and he began to sink. He was double-minded, and he almost drowned.
So when trials come do you have a believing heart? Are your eyes focused upon Christ who can rescue us when we are drowning? Don’t be like the waves. Stand firm, stand faithful and strand true to your faith; knowing that the God of all creation is on your side. He is for us, not against us!
Make it happen!
-Pastor Matt
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