Week 20: If There’s Anything He Can Do For You, Don’t Hesitate to Ask
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to him.
James 1:5
I have a friend who is a director for a hospice service. Once he was telling me how bereaved people can become bitter with friends, churches, and caregivers. The root of bitterness comes after the funeral. Often the bereaved person feels abandoned. No one means to abandon them, it simply happens. The funeral is full of food, love, and support. Everyone is there saying things such as, “If there’s anything I can do for you, don’t hesitate to ask.” The next month is almost silent. As my friend was explaining this I gave the rebuttal, “But you just said that people offer their help.” “Of course people say that”, my friend replied, “but the grieving person is not going to do it unless you remind them. If they are reached out with a simple hello, they usually will open up and let you know their needs. It’s good to just reach out and remind them again.” It’s amazing how all that is needed in those moments is a simple reminder.
There is a reminder to all of God’s people that help is available. In discussing the believer’s trials, the Holy Spirit (through James) reiterates how willing God is to aid us when tested. God intends to test our character with trials. The end result is that we will be, “perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (James 1:4)”, but one crucial tool may be lacking in us as God is in the process of building us. We may lack the skill to get through the trials. In other words, we may lack wisdom.
What is wisdom? Often when we attempt to define wisdom we confuse it with knowledge. Wisdom is more of a skill, whereas knowledge is more about information. For example, I may be able to tell you all about the Kentucky Derby, the etymology of the race, and the history surrounding it. I may know the scientific name given to every species of horse at the event. At the same time, I may never have ridden a horse. The skill to ride a horse in a derby is different from the knowledge of horses. Wisdom is riding the horse. Knowledge is telling us about the derby and the animal. James says that God will give us the skill to become master tradesmen with our trials and tribulations.
The first thing we have to grasp is that any believer can attain wisdom. James tells us to begin by asking for it. If we don’t ask, we shouldn’t expect wisdom.To be wise is to learn how to skillfully discern what to do in various situations. Anyone can gain wisdom from God if they are a child of God, but we have to want it, and we have to apply ourselves to the task. “If anyone lacks wisdom, let him ask of God.” Do you want God’s help? Start by asking.
The second truth is that wisdom is not hiding. James says that God will give it out and give it generously. When I think about wisdom I instantly go to Proverbs. After all, the proverbs are wise sayings from the king. If we want wisdom we go to a biblical location because the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). We are told in Scripture that wisdom is not hiding from us. In fact, she is in the middle of the street crying out to all who will listen to her voice (Proverbs 1:20). Stupid people keep walking; wise people stop and listen. I have a friend who street preaches in England. He stands on corners and will simply preach. He is a larger man (he’s a tall and heavy one) shouting out to all about the Bible. He’s posted videos of these events on social media. It’s interesting how so many people walk right by him and ignore this large man bellowing about. I suppose that is how wisdom is. There she is, and there we go, but the truth is that God sets her in plain sight.
Finally, it is not wrong to ask God for help. God knows that trials are hard. He knows that our default position is not joy but frustration. He promises that if we will ask him, he will give us wisdom with no reproach. In other words, he does not think less of us for saying we can’t handle our tests. He does not recoil when we break down and cry over the trials. He hears us and he exhorts us to reach out and take him up on his offer. The worst thing we can do is hear the reminder that God is there to help us, and fail to take advantage of it.
Your character is being built by God because He wants to use you in this place. Here’s a gentle reminder…if there’s any wisdom He can give you, just ask. God may not take away your trial, but he will give you the grace and skill to navigate the winds and waves.
Discussion Questions:
How do you define wisdom? How can we align our definition with Scripture?
What can wisdom do for us in trials and tribulations?
Have you had opportunities to impart biblical wisdom to students? If applicable, share.
