In this verse we have the necessity of asking in faith. The promises of verse 5 are absolutely null and void if not accompanied with faith. Just as the wave of the sea goes first one way and then another and accomplishes nothing, so is one who asks in unbelief.

Faith essential: Faith is one of the primal laws of Christianity. It is likewise one of the important laws of civilization. We could not get along in our national economy, if we did not have faith in one another.

Examples of faith: We hire a man to build us a home. We have faith that he is able to build it; also that he will put in good materials and workmanship. He has confidence in us too, believing that when the work is done he will receive his pay. Men put thousands of dollars into banks, having faith that they will keep them safely and give them back on demand plus interest.

Henry Ford's faith: Nearly everything discovered and produced demanded a measure of faith on the part of someone. Henry Ford worked long experimenting on his first car. He had a hard time finding people who had enough faith in him and his car to lend him the money. Those who did trust him were made rich because of it.

The first locomotive: John Stevenson spent long hours on his first railroad locomotive. His wife had absolutely no confidence in it. She said, "It will never go." As it started down the track she said, "It will never stop." It both started and stopped, and a new era was brought in because of this man's faith.

Columbus: Faith that the world was round and not flat caused Columbus to set sail from the old country and go west, west, west. His faith discovered a new world.

Man often proves untrustworthy: We put faith in various ones every day. We trust our families, government officials, employers, and employees. We all love to be trusted. Oftentimes our faith in man is betrayed. We prove unfaithful at times. In spite of this, faith in man continues.

Faith in God: Beloved, if man has so much faith in himself and in his fellow man, so much more should he trust in God. He is absolutely trustworthy. Adam and Eve showed lack of faith in Him in the Garden of Eden, and the result was disastrous. Now in order to again be in God's favor, man must trust Him unwaveringly. "Without faith it is impossible to please him" (Heb. 11:6).

Heroes of faith: We have a long list of heroes of faith in Hebrews 11. They not only pleased God, but by their faith accomplished great things. "By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain" (Heb. 11:4). Then we have Enoch and Noah. The longest space is given to Abraham and his wife Sarah. Their faith is especially mentioned in connection with leaving Ur of Chaldees, dwelling in Canaan, the birth of Isaac, and the offering up of Isaac.

Also in Hebrews 11, we have the faith and accomplishments of Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Rahab as well as others who are given honorable mention. As we study this portion, we cannot help but know that nothing can be accomplished for Him apart from faith.

Faith and power: Faith in the faith of Jesus Christ (Rom. 3:22 KJV) gives us the power of God. It is like the old days when the wires brought power to the trolley cars in San Francisco, or today the machines in our homes. Without wires we would not have electric power in our homes. By faith – not our faith, but faith in the faith of Jesus Christ – we can move mountains; without it we cannot. The Lord Jesus says, "Without Me ye can do nothing" (John 15:5). "Have faith in God" (Mark 11:22).

Live by faith: "The just shall live by his faith" (Hab. 2:4). Someone may say, "The preacher lives by faith." This is true, especially if the preacher goes out like Paul and the other New Testament preachers. Not only the preacher, but all the Lord's people should live by faith. We all should trust Him every step of the journey. We should leave everything in our lives in His hands.

"... let him ask in faith ..." There is much formal saying of prayers that is not asking in faith at all. Even unsaved people say prayers, but they do not ask in faith. The so-called Lord's Prayer is greatly abused. It is not only used in private and some churches, but also in lodges, clubs, on radio and television, etc. It cannot be rightly prayed by an unsaved one, because its first petition starts with "Our Father." One must be a child before he can say "Father." Such saying of prayers by the unsaved accomplishes little. Even for saved ones to say it in parrot like fashion is futile. Actually, it was never meant to be used as much as it is. The Lord says, "After this manner therefore pray ye" (Matt. 6:9). In modern language we would say, "Pray something like this." There needs to be an inward asking with confidence and simplicity (Matt. 6:5-7).

Faith brings the blessings: There are many scriptures that tell us that if we ask in faith we shall receive (1 John 4:14, 15; Mark 11:24; Matt. 21:22). God is ready to give liberally, but Christians must ask in faith. William Harrison wrote: "Persevering the prayer of faith storms the fort of blessing."

"... nothing wavering ..." The word "wavering" could be translated "doubting." "But let him ask in faith nothing doubting." It is certainly foolish to ask for something you do not expect to get and it is dishonoring to the Lord. He will honor those who trust Him, but not those who disbelieve and do not obey Christ.

Some doubt God's ability: Some seem to doubt the ability of the Lord to give. Sometimes things look almost too hopeless even for the Lord. A child of God in Russia can pray to God for help; a child of God in Asia can pray to God for help; a child of God in South American can pray to God for help, etc.; and every child of God throughout the world is praying to the same mighty God.

The doubter in Samaria: Samaria was in desperate straits. The Syrians had besieged it until the population was almost starved. Some had even turned to eating their own children. In this awful state Elisha stands forth and says,

Thus saith the Lord, Tomorrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria. Then a lord on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, Behold, if the Lord would make windows in heaven, might this thing be? (2 Kin. 7:1, 2)

He doubted the Lord's ability to do this, but it was done. However, it did not profit the doubter, for he was trampled under foot by the throng at the gate, and died.

He can give wisdom: Some might doubt the Lord's ability to give wisdom. They do not question His wisdom, but how can He impart it to those who need it? The best way to find out how He gives it is to ask believingly. In connection with verse 5, we have already seen that much of His wisdom is imparted through studying the Word. He can also impart wisdom directly through the mind. To explain how He does this is difficult, but when it comes, we know it. We clearly see the way; the mist is rolled away, all uncertainty passes, and our minds are at rest. Before, all was dark and uncertain, now, it is plain and sure. Before, we dreaded to take a step, now we go forward with calm assurance. By asking believingly, the simple are made wise.

He controls our intellect: As His wisdom comes in, our minds are made clear. We have a desire to walk in His way. His will is our will. He does not throw our minds away, but He sits on the throne of our intellect. Our mind is guided by Him. We seem to choose our own path, but it is the path He has chosen for us. We seem to work out our own problems, yet it really is God who works them out for us. He does not force us to go His way, but we go His way with joy. We know His way is the best way. To go His way is to go with Him, and to go with Him does not bring slavery, but deep seated joy and satisfaction. Our minds were uncertain, now we have the mind of Christ, and all is clear and sure.

He watches worlds and tiny individuals: Some might believe that the Lord is too great and too mighty to heed the requests of one poor little mortal. Our God not only watches worlds, but He cares for the least of His saints. "His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me." So goes the song; so says the Word (Matt. 6:26).

Ask for wisdom even for small things: The Lord is willing to give wisdom in the smallest matters. Sometimes great events turn on the smallest pivots, so it is well to ask the Lord for wisdom in the smallest matters. Sometimes just a word you drop may have a great effect on someone.

Just a word the writer spoke years ago at a college lectureship in Texas telling of a conversation he had with a lady in Africa, started a young Christian at the time on the work of spreading the Gospel. That happened years ago and today that young man, now much older, is still involved in that most important work. (Harrison)

Ask for wisdom for all things: The wife can ask for wisdom in the bringing up of her children, and the business man, in handling his business. The designer can ask for wisdom as he works over his drafting board, and the preacher, as he prepares his sermons. If a preacher had any idea as to how his words affected his audience, he would always be asking for wisdom from the Lord, that he might say just the needed words.

Abraham asked, believed and received: Abraham, without doubt, often asked for a son and heir. Time went on, but no son came. Finally, he almost bitterly bemoans the fact in the ears of the Lord that he had no son and Eliezer, his servant, was his only heir (Gen. 15:2, 3). The Lord said, "This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir." In Romans 4:20, we read, "He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith." However, years went by. He and Sarah were fast becoming old, and they faltered a bit. Sarah says, take Hagar, my maid, perhaps the Lord will give us children by her, and as a result, Ishmael was born. Finally, the day came, long after the time when Sarah, humanly speaking, could have children, and Abraham was 100 years old, that Isaac was born. The Lord says to Abraham in Genesis 18:14, "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" Oh, beloved, let us ask and believe that the Lord is able to give the impossible.

Ezra asked, nothing doubting: Ezra, with a large company of Jews, was returning to Jerusalem with great wealth. He had boasted to Darius, king of Babylon, "The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him" (Ezra 8:22). After this he was ashamed to ask him for a company of soldiers to guard and guide them through the trackless and dangerous wilderness. In this dilemma, they besought the Lord to lead and protect them. They found that He could and would do this better than a band of soldiers.

"... like a wave of the sea ..." "He that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed." James evidently was a keen observer of nature. Perhaps he learned this from the Lord Jesus. It may be the two of them in their boyhood days were often together. Perhaps they stood together on the shores of Galilee and saw those tempestuous winds whip up the sea. He saw that the waves were first driven this way and then that. He saw how they dashed up on the beach only to roll back into the sea. He noticed that the waves were very active, but purposeless, apparently accomplishing nothing. How like a Christian who asks, but doubts that he will receive.

Easy to doubt during trial: It is easy to doubt when tempestuous winds are blowing. When everything goes wrong it is easy to say, "Where is the Lord? Why does He not answer and deliver?" It is just such doubts that delay the answer. We must learn to say with Job; "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him" (Job 13:15).

Unstable as water: Jacob prophesies of Reuben, "Unstable as water" (Gen. 49:4). Some Christians are like that because they doubt the Lord. Circumstances drive them first one way and then another. When all goes well they ride the crest of the wave and they seem to be happy, hearty Christians, but let things go a bit averse and down they go into the trough, and there they kick and struggle and nearly drown. How lovely to see one who goes along on an even keel, no matter what may come, or what may go.

Victory or defeat: Two things will bring victory; prayer and faith. The lack of either of these will bring defeat. The armies of Israel were victorious over Amalek as long as Moses held up his hand to heaven. As soon as he let it down, Amalek prevailed (Ex. 17:11). Let us hold up our hands to the Lord and not doubt, and all will be well. "... driven with the wind and tossed." There is nothing more terrible than being in a small boat out in a wild sea with rudder gone, and to be at the mercy of the wind. Yet many, by their doubts, are in just such a bad place as this. All control is lost. They are driven and tossed by every wind of circumstance and sometimes by every wind of doctrine (Eph. 4:14). They have no one at the helm of their ship. They are like the troubled sea that cannot rest, casting up mire and dirt (Is. 57:20). Is this your picture, beloved reader? If so, get your eye off the wind and the wave, and put them on the Lord Jesus. Take your own hand off the helm, and definitely put your all in His hand. He will lead, and He will guard.

Scripture Reading: James 1:7 (KJV)

Who is this man, who need not think that he shall receive anything from the Lord? It is the man who asks of God, but does not expect Him to give. It is the unstable man who is driven and tossed this way and that by every circumstance of life. He doubts God like the woman who hated the mountain behind her house, because it shaded her home all morning. She asked God to remove it. The mountain was still there the next morning and she said, "I knew it would be there."

Unbelief does not receive: Unbelief is black with God's frown. It will receive nothing of the Lord. It says, God cannot, or will not do things for His own. Like Peter, it takes one's eyes off Christ and looks on the winds and the waves, and so begins to sink. "O, ye of little faith."

An example of unbelief: Let us suppose a man owes you $25.00. You call him on the phone and he says, "Come over tomorrow night and I will have it for you." But you say to yourself, "He will not be home when I come, or he will not give it to me if he is home." You doubt his word and you do not go after it. You surely will not get it. The Lord says, "Ask, and it shall be given you." Do you believe?

The one that believed received: "Free, take one," is what a sign at a fair said, right in front of what appeared to be a neat pile of $100.00 dollar bills. Many read the sign, looked at the pile, but passed on without taking one. They evidently did not believe the sign. They may have thought the coins counterfeit, or nailed down, or charged with electricity. Toward the end of the day a young boy read the sign, looked at the bills, picked one up and went off with it. When he got home, he showed it to his parents and neighbors. It was a real $100.00 bill. The news traveled fast. As the fair opened the next morning, a swarm stormed toward the booth but the sign and the money were gone. So faith gets and uses for God; unbelief misses the blessing.

Unsaved receive nothing: Sometimes some say, "I pray and pray, but I never seem to get an answer." Some folks that talk this way are not even saved. They have never believed in the Lord Jesus enough to obey His will, yet they expect their prayers to be answered. "Let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord." Of course, when our verse uses the "anything," it does not refer to blessings that are common to all men. It refers to special things one might ask of God.

Why some prayers are never answered: Even Christians say they pray, but do not receive. There may be various reasons why this is so, but the principle reason is lack of faith. In James 4:3, we read, "Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts." Perhaps many are denied for this reason. "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me" (Ps. 66:18). Isaiah 1:15 is a similar verse; "When ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood." Perhaps you have some idols in your heart. If so the Lord will not hear (Ezra 14:3). Do you have a fierce temper? "I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting" (1 Tim. 2:8). Maybe you show an unforgiving spirit towards others. If so, do not expect the Lord to show a forgiving spirit toward you. (Matt. 6:14, 15). Perhaps you do not show proper honor to your wife, and your prayers are hindered (1 Pet. 3:7). Luke 18 is a wonderful chapter on prayer. Its first lesson is perseverance in prayer. It may be that we give up too soon. "Men ought always to pray, and not to faint" (Luke 18:1).

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