James 1:5-8

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

James 1:5-8

I really like this passage and had it memorized at one point.  It encourages me to ask for wisdom, reminds me that I need wisdom, and magnifies how great and wise God is.  It also reminds me to not doubt when it comes to asking God for wisdom.

This passage begins with referring to people who lack wisdom.  If you do, you can ask God for wisdom.  This means that you first need to admit that you lack wisdom.  Not many people want to admit that.  Most people want to feel smart and wise (myself included).  However, the truth is that we all lack wisdom.  Our wisdom pales in comparison to God's wisdom.

"For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men."

1 Corinthians 1:25

Even though we all lack wisdom, it is encouraging to know that God "gives generously to all without reproach".  He is wise and he is generous.  He's not stingy with his wisdom.  It's not as if he keeps it all to himself.  No, he gives generously.

Not only that, but wisdom is given "without reproach".  He's not going to make a fool out of you for asking or punish you for making this request.  Instead, he gives without reproach.  This means that you don't need to feel ashamed for asking for wisdom.  Your lack of wisdom is not a point of embarrassment.  He "gives generously to all without reproach".

There is one important thing to remember about asking for wisdom, and that is to ask in faith.  One who asks for wisdom shouldn't waver, unsure of whether his or her request will be made.  Instead, they should know and expect to be granted this request.  This "doubter" is described "like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind".  He is tossed to and fro the way the waves go back and forth.  This is the opposite of faith.  God is generous and having faith in him is that which is sure that this kind of request will be granted.

Now, it should be said that this isn't to say that we are to simply ask all things in faith and we will receive them.  Yes, we know that God is a good father.  Would a father give his son a serpent when asked for a fish (as it says in Matthew 7 and Luke 11)?  However, does God always grant our requests when we ask for good things?  I think of Jesus, praying in the Garden of Gethsemane.  The cup was not taken from him as he requested.  I think of Paul, who was not granted that the thorn in his side be removed.  That was a good request, was it not?  I'll bet he asked in faith, requesting at least 3 times.  So, before we take this too far, we must not think that we can just receive every request we make.  This is probably true even if we ask for something in faith.

In any case, faith is still important.  To be such a double minded person is to be one who shouldn't expect to receive anything from the Lord.  One who is a doubter like this is one who is "unstable in all his ways".  NLT puts it this way: "Their loyalty is divided between God and the world".  So, perhaps the key is that their "doubt" and "double-mindedness" has to do with their wavering between loyalty to God and loyalty to the world.  One must put full faith in God, knowing who he is and acting as such.