Devotion • May 10
Today’s Scripture Reading
James 1:1–15
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.
My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you. But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind; for the doubter, being double-minded and unstable in every way, must not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Let the believer who is lowly boast in being raised up, and the rich in being brought low, because the rich will disappear like a flower in the field. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the field; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. It is the same way with the rich; in the midst of a busy life, they will wither away. Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
No one, when tempted, should say, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil and he himself tempts no one. But one is tempted by one’s own desire, being lured and enticed by it; then, when that desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and that sin, when it is fully grown, gives birth to death. (NRSV)
Reflection
I have often thought that the epistles, or letters, that comprise much of the New Testament are like a long correspondence between a wise mentor and his mentees. Indeed, the stock of letters includes those that are affectionate expressions, encouragement, words of challenge, and, in the case of this letter, what might be an address to an individual or slew of folks who are facing some sobering challenges.
In our Fourth Church devotion cycle, we are writing in Eastertide, a time when the high of Easter gives way to the need for daily practices in the challenges of our lives. And one of the challenges named in the passage is the play between wisdom and doubt. “If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given to you. But ask in faith, never doubting, for one who doubts is a like wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.”
What happens when life’s dilemmas require wisdom? You must ask for wisdom and do so with faith. Such requires the mind of Christ. Such awakens a spiritual maturity and a generous receptivity in the way after Christ. Yes, none of us is Christ. And we all may think the only thing we have to offer is a trickle of wisdom. With the trickle of wisdom comes the waves, the storms, the capsizing of what confidence we manage to put together. But the message is that God is the source of wisdom, and we are the harbingers of its power. Rather than a trickle, we await the floods of God’s wisdom poured out for each one of us, with deep and penetrating power. This is a promise, and it is sure.
Prayer
O God, it is remarkable that you have placed your trust in us to bring to life the wisdom you give. Help us to hold the way open for your life flow. And if we doubt your care for us, address that doubt with joy overflowing. Through Christ. Amen.
Written by Lucy Forster-Smith, Senior Associate Pastor
Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church
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