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LECTURE II.

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JAMES i. 5-8.

5. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not: and it shall be given him.

The apostle had before exhorted his christian brethren not to be disheartened, though they might fall into divers temptations: but rather to count it joy, because these were intended to fulfil the purpose of God concerning them, and were a needful part of the course through which they must go.

Still provision must be made, lest the tribulation, instead of working patience, should prove occasion of falling.

Now therefore he proceeds to show, that provision is made for this. God may see it good for his people that they shall undergo heavy trials. Still" God is faithful, and will with the temptation make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." If any of you lack wisdom; be deficient in the grace which his circumstances especially require : let him ask of God, who has said, “Ask and ye shall receive, seek and ye shall find." And God is not as men, who may give to some, and deny to others. God giveth to all who come to him by the appointed way, the "one Mediator between

God and man." And God is not as men, who are forced to limit their bounties. God giveth to all men liberally; supplies from a source which is inexhaustible, the fortitude, the wisdom, the comfort, the resignation, the particular grace which their case makes needful. And, again, God is not as men, who may sometimes upbraid those whom they relieve: God "knoweth our frame, and remembereth that we are but dust: and when he giveth, he upbraideth not, but is pleased when his people follow him, nay, importune him, with their petitions: when they always "pray, and faint not."1

Such an assurance is needed by those who are "working out their salvation" in the world: and how great the mercy, that such an assurance has been given !

To this promise, however, a condition is annexed.

6. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea, driven with the wind and tossed.

7. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

8. 4 double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.

2

Wavering is doubting. When we ask a benefit

1 Luke xviii. 1.

2 The word wavering, in English, as also the word difvxos, double-minded, might admit of another interpretation, as if relating to one who had not made up his mind to "follow the Lord fully." But the original verb diaкpivoμai, as used Matt. xxi. 21, and Mark xi. 23, and Acts x. 20-Go with them, nothing doubting-together with the clause, let him ask in faith-fix the sense to a stedfast confidence in God.

of a fellow-creature, we may ask with a doubt upon our minds-though even this we should not disclose-whether he have the power, or whether he have the will, to grant what we are seeking at his hands. But when we ask of God, and ask for spiritual wisdom, there must be no such wavering: his power we know; to doubt that, would be to disparage his attributes: and his will we know; for he has declared it; to doubt that, would be to discredit his word. And therefore our Lord himself, in making the same promise, has added the same condition. (Matt. xxi. 22.) "All things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” Again, Mark xi. 23, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, that whosoever shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass, he shall have whatsoever he saith." Again, Matt. ix. 23, "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth."

Are we surprised that so much stress is laid on confidence? Because it is thus seen, where the heart is really resting; whether on itself and its own resources, on any earthly means; or whether it can really cast its care upon God with an equal sense of helplessness and of hope, saying, "Lord, undertake for me." It was the absence of this faith in the Israelites which Isaiah severely rebukes. (xxx. 15.) "Thus saith the Lord, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not. But ye said, No, for we will flee

3 Isa. xxxiv. 14.

upon horses; therefore shall ye flee and we will ride upon the swift: therefore shall they that pursue you be swift."

Thus were the Israelites double-minded, unstable: taking in their mouths the name of the Lord, but really in their hearts trusting to mortal strength and human means. Exactly as a wave of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed; one while rising towards God, and then sinking down to the feebleness of human power. This doubting, double, wavering mind receives no blessing. Let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord.

Still there must here be some reserve. It is possible that a meek and contrite heart may waver, conscious of its own unworthiness. With what confidence, it might say, can I approach the great and holy God? How can I expect the strength or wisdom that is from above, the gift of the Spirit, to which I have so often "done despite ?"

Now this is not the sentiment of a double mind, but of a humble mind. This is not the mind which shall receive no favourable return. Such a mind must not be depressed, but encouraged. Here is "the bruised reed." It is not the will of God that the heart which is bruised should be broken. Here is

"the smoking flax." The mercy of God would not quench it, but kindle an abiding flame. There is no limitation to the promise, "Ye shall seek me, and ye shall find me, when ye shall search for me with your heart." 4

all

Doubt not, therefore, but earnestly believe, that

4 Jer. xxiv. 13.

if any man lack wisdom, he may ask of God, and find that he giveth to all men liberally. He deals with us as a father with his children. He secures our application to him, by letting us feel our daily need. Perhaps here is the secret cause of many of the trials, both inward and outward, which befal the Christian. They drive us to prayer. Thus God keeps us dependent on himself, and promotes that free and gracious intercourse which belongs to those whom he has adopted in Christ Jesus: who, as his children, have liberty to come boldly to the throne of grace; to cry, Abba, Father." For if earthly parents, with all the evil that is in their hearts, still seldom fail in giving good gifts to their children; "shall not your heavenly Father give his Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" Only let them ask in faith, nothing wavering.

Many things, no doubt, we might ask, and not obtain. God will grant the petitions of his servants as may be most expedient for them. The unlimited promise is given, not to every prayer, but to the prayer for spiritual aid; for wisdom, true and heavenly wisdom-wisdom we shall not seek in vain, if we ask in faith, nothing wavering: nothing wavering in our desire for it, nothing wavering in our conviction that it must come, and can come, from God alone. Seasons there will be when the Christian's path may seem to himself so dark and perplexing, so beset with difficulties, that nothing is before him but despair. And yet, in that darkest hour and day of gloom, there is light prepared and safety provided; the way we know not, for "we walk by faith, and not by sight;" but it is sure, for

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