A Resource to Ask For

The A.R.T. of Survival, Day 3

By Chip Ingram

Imagine having a blank check from God—an unlimited promise of wisdom. You can ask Him where to live, how to manage a health crisis, how to deal with a job loss, or just how to make it through today. 

But there’s one condition. . You have to commit upfront to follow the wisdom He gives.

Today’s Scripture reading tells us there are two parts to this condition:

• You must “believe”—you must come to Him in faith. This implies a definite request. It means trusting Him, having confidence in His character and Word, and committing to do what He shows you.
• You must “not doubt” —you must not treat God’s wisdom as just some information to consider. You must accept in faith and not try to pick and choose what you want to obey. That makes a person double-minded. That’s a “we’ll see” kind of prayer. 

When we’re at rock bottom, in a desperate situation, with nowhere else to turn, God promises the amazing resource of supernatural wisdom. He’ll show us exactly what to do, how to do it, when to do it, and who to do it with—if our hearts are open to hear Him and committed to doing what He says. His wisdom may not be what we wanted to hear. But if we’ll commit to follow it up front, He’ll give it generously. 

Today, accept the resource the Lord offers. Ask Him for wisdom and keep your eyes, ears, and heart open. You’ll see how He comes through.

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 1:5‭-‬8