January 3 - Daily Devotion | Expect God to Answer
"If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such a person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do." James 1:5-8 NLT
When you ask God for wisdom, expect God to answer. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask, simply make sure your faith is in God alone and that you do not have divided loyalties - one foot in the world and one in the church. There is One God, and He is a jealous God.
He will not share wisdom with someone who is friends with the world, participating in worldly behavior. He only shares wisdom's mysteries with those who love Him and are loyal to Him.
The Bible tells us that our relationship with Jesus Christ is like the relationship between a shepherd and his sheep. The Shepherd has a personal relationship with His sheep. He knows them. He knows their quirks, their strengths, and their weaknesses. The Shepherd leads the sheep, speaks to the sheep, loves, protects, and nurtures the sheep. He knows exactly what they need. It’s a relationship based on His voice as He calls out to them: warning them of danger, encouraging them to keep moving forward, comforting them when they are hurt, and correcting them when they go the wrong way. The sheep trust their Shepherd because they know He cares for them. They recognize His voice, as Jesus says, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me”—John 10:27 NKJV.
Jesus knows you personally. He knows what you are facing today. His voice is found in the Scriptures. Seek Him in the Bible.
If you need wisdom—if you need to make a wise choice— ask your Shepherd who laid down His life for you—John 10:11. For He is wisdom personified—Colossians 2:2-3.
Jesus Christ is the answer to every question on your heart. Only He has the wisdom you need for your current situation.
Read the Word to hear your Shepherd’s voice regarding the issues in your life. Listen to Him. He might guide you to a resource for the knowledge you need, or encourage you to go to school, or provide you with a verse to live out, or encourage you to seek out counsel at a church or with a Christian therapist, or He may guide you to talk to your family and friends, or encourage you to fast and pray. Expect God to answer your requests—James 1:6! He loves you. He will answer you. He will give you a peace that surpasses all understanding, and His peace will guard your heart and mind as you face your current situation—Philippians 4:7.
Today, what do you want to ask Jesus Christ?
Prayer: Abba, thank You for Your Son and the wisdom generously given. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Excerpt taken from Dr. Alysa VanderWeerd's bible study, Radical Living: the book of James
