Ask God, expect answers
Yesterday, I was reminded of this scripture from James 1:5-8
- “If you need wisdom–if you want to know what God wants you to do–ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking. But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. People like that should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. They can’t make up their minds. They waver back and forth in everything they do.”
It is so simple, yet so profound. As I re-read this scripture, it rejuvenated my faith. God desires to help us, to answer our questions, to respond to our need for wisdom. God desires to speak to us, and he doesn’t resent us for asking.
Everyday, we have a myriad of decisions we have to make. Our life is not decided on the big decisions we make every now and then. No. Our life is determine by the cumulative decisions we make every day.
Too often, we rush into a prayer, “Lord, what should I do in this situation?” We wait long and hard for 12 seconds. But, after “hearing” nothing, we run off and make our own decision. That’s not expecting God to speak. That’s not faith.
Hebrews 11:6 says, “Without faith, it’s impossible to please God.” God loves it when we believe, when we have faith. If we ask God for wisdom for a situation, we need to listen, and really listen. Press in, hold on, wait. He’ll respond. He promised he would. Don’t be like a wave on the sea tossed about by the storms of doubt. Believe.
What does an answer from God sound like, look like, feel like? I don’t think there is any single way that God answers. I would expect it to be different every time. I think about when my son comes to me with a question. Sometimes, I just tell him the answer. Sometimes, I tell him a story to exemplify the answer. Other times, I get up and show him the answer. There’s even times I want him to search out the answer through a different means. It’s different for different circumstances.
Don’t go to God like he’s a giant spiritual wikipedia–plug in the question, spit an answer. No, that’s not relationship. God is far more concerned about you, not just the answers you need. Sure, he wants you to come to him when you need wisdom, but come to him through relationship, not just through a need to know something.
This week, when your faced with a decision, I challenge you to go to God. Ask him. Listen. Wait. Listen some more. Press in. Listen carefully.
Expect an answer.
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