James 1:5 (ESV)

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

In James 1, verses 5-11 talk about wisdom, about humility of the wealthy, and about exaltation of the poor. This is in the context of the brevity of life. Our tendency is to read those passages like we read the Proverbs, as distinct and disconnected concepts. But they are sandwiched between two verses about trials. “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds” (James 1:2 ESV). “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial” (James 1:12a ESV). There must be some connection between the need for wisdom, the importance of humility in the wealthy, the value of exaltation in the poor, and trials in life. In fact, it may be that the poor are experiencing trials at the hands of the wealthy. Additionally, those who were once wealthy may not be so wealthy anymore because of embracing Christianity. To deal with these issues in life requires a wisdom that comes from above.

In James, everything is received from God. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change” (James 1:17 ESV). Do you need wisdom to deal with life issues? Ask God. Wisdom involves an understanding of self and others. It brings life into perspective. I clarifies who I am in Christ. It equips me to face whatever life throws at me. It takes God’s wisdom to be able to look beyond the pain of the moment to see God’s guiding and protecting hand. Wisdom leads to steadfastness and maturity, but wisdom cannot be manufactured. It is not the same thing as intelligence. Wisdom comes from God.

When we ask for wisdom, we can ask confidently. First, because God gives “generously to all without reproach” (James 1:5). Second, we can ask confidently because God instructed us to ask for wisdom. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God” (James 1:5a). Thirdly, we can ask confidently for wisdom because God told us to ask in faith. “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting” (James 1:5a, 6a ESV). Wisdom is not the same thing as intelligence. Wisdom comes from God, and God told us to ask for it.

Are you struggling to understand what is happening in your life? Are you facing pain, betrayal, difficulties, loss, grief, or hurt? God calls these trials. You can’t face them alone. It takes divine wisdom, divine power, and divine provision. Job wanted to understand why he was facing the trials he faced. God never gave him a clear answer to that question. God’s wisdom may never explain why, but it will guide you through the messiness of life to his full provision of grace. . “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds” (James 1:2 ESV). “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial” (James 1:12a ESV). Sandwiched between those two verses is this incredible promise, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him” (James 1:5 ESV).