Ask For Wisdom

Transcript

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Welcome back to Beyond Sunday and day 17 of anchored in God's promises. Every morning this month, we're holding onto one promise from God's Word. Something to guide us, to steady us and give us perspective before the day unfolds. Today's promise is one. I come back too often, especially when I'm faced with decisions that matter. James, chapter one, verse five. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it'll be given to you. James doesn't say if. In the sense of maybe he knows we all face moments when we don't know what to do. That could be a big life decision, right? Which job to take, how to handle a conflict, whether to move forward with a relationship, how to navigate a financial decision. But it's also the small daily choices. How to respond to your child in a tense moment. How to speak truth with grace, how to spend your time today. The starting point for receiving wisdom is admitting that we don't have all the answers. And that's not a weakness. It's an invitation. James makes it simple. You should ask God. Sometimes we overcomplicate wisdom thinking it only comes from years of study or from a few people with exceptional spiritual insight. And while learning from others is important, and James says, the direct line to wisdom is prayer. The God who designed your mind, who knows the future, who sees every eng angle. You can talk to him right now about the decision in front of you. And you don't have to guess if he's listening. He promises to answer. Now, I love that word generously. It means God doesn't give wisdom and little drops like it's a scarce resource. He pours it out, and it's for all, not just pastors, not just seasoned believers, not just the really spiritual people in the world. If you belong to him, this promise is yours. That means you can bring him your confusion. Your uncertainty, your options, and expect him to respond with clarity, peace, and direction. Now, this part of the verse might be my favorite without finding fault. God doesn't roll his eyes when you come to him with the same question. Again, he doesn't say, didn't I tell you this already? He doesn't shame you for needing guidance. He welcomes the repeated asking because asking is a sign you want to walk in his way. Even if you've made mistakes before, even if you've ignored his wisdom last time, his posture toward you today is still generous. This is the anchor of the promise that it'll be given to you when you ask. In faith, God will give you wisdom. That doesn't always mean he'll drop the full plan in your lap, but he'll give you the next step. Sometimes wisdom comes as a conviction in your spirit. Sometimes it comes through scripture speaking directly into your situation. Sometimes it comes through godly counsel, but however he delivers it, you can trust it will come. Years ago, I faced a ministry decision that would impact my family and my church for years to come. I had a pros and cons list input from mentors, and still I couldn't see clearly. So I prayed James one five out loud every morning for weeks. God, I'm asking you for wisdom. You promise to give it generously. One morning while reading scripture, a passage I'd read a dozen of times seemed to leap off the page. It spoke directly to my situation confirming the path forward. It wasn't a loud voice, it was a quiet certainty, and I knew it was wisdom from him. So here's your challenge today. Bring one decision to God, big or small, and pray. James one, five over it. Say, God, I lack wisdom in this area. I'm asking you to give it generously without finding fault. Then watch for how he answers. It might be a verse, a conversation or a deep inner peace, but he will lead you. Let's pray. Lord, thank you for being a generous giver of wisdom. We confess that we often try to figure things out on our own, but today we choose to ask you first, lead us in your truth. Guide us by your spirit. And give us the clarity we need to honor you in our decisions. In Jesus' name we pray, amen. Again, thank you for joining me today. If today's promise encourage you, share it with someone who's facing a decision. They might need this Reminder that God gives wisdom freely. I'll see you back here tomorrow.