January 23, 2018
Two Facts
James 1:5
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.
There’s 2 facts that immediately pop out at me when I read this familiar passage. First, we need wisdom. And second, God is generous.
The first one is ironic because we don’t like to admit we need wisdom. We prefer to make our own decisions and clean up our own messes. But God doesn’t intend for us to do that. He isn’t being judgmental in telling us we need wisdom, he’s actually being kind to tell us this because we automatically think we don’t need it. Jesus makes it really clear to us that we don’t need to worry about solving all our own problems when he says, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
And here’s where God’s generosity comes in: Rest in exchange for burdens. Only someone truly generous at heart would do all the heavy lifting in a relationship without being resentful or sarcastic. In fact, James 1:5 goes on to say that God does NOT make fun of us for asking for help. He will not rebuke you for asking.
I’m so thankful for God’s generosity towards me. I’m so glad he has pointed out to me that my ideas are not remarkable and I possess no amazing problem solving skill on my own – not to make me feel bad but to help me out. I need his wisdom, and I need his rest. And because of his character, not because I’m so great, he generously gives me both.
Dear Lord Jesus,
I take you up on your offer to give me rest and to let me learn from you and to take on your burdens which are actually not burdensome at all. I appreciate that you don’t mock our weakness or lord over us. I thank you for your kindness, your gentleness, your forgiveness, your love, and your generosity. I love you and pray in your name, amen.
Two Facts
James 1:5
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.
There’s 2 facts that immediately pop out at me when I read this familiar passage. First, we need wisdom. And second, God is generous.
The first one is ironic because we don’t like to admit we need wisdom. We prefer to make our own decisions and clean up our own messes. But God doesn’t intend for us to do that. He isn’t being judgmental in telling us we need wisdom, he’s actually being kind to tell us this because we automatically think we don’t need it. Jesus makes it really clear to us that we don’t need to worry about solving all our own problems when he says, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
And here’s where God’s generosity comes in: Rest in exchange for burdens. Only someone truly generous at heart would do all the heavy lifting in a relationship without being resentful or sarcastic. In fact, James 1:5 goes on to say that God does NOT make fun of us for asking for help. He will not rebuke you for asking.
I’m so thankful for God’s generosity towards me. I’m so glad he has pointed out to me that my ideas are not remarkable and I possess no amazing problem solving skill on my own – not to make me feel bad but to help me out. I need his wisdom, and I need his rest. And because of his character, not because I’m so great, he generously gives me both.
Dear Lord Jesus,
I take you up on your offer to give me rest and to let me learn from you and to take on your burdens which are actually not burdensome at all. I appreciate that you don’t mock our weakness or lord over us. I thank you for your kindness, your gentleness, your forgiveness, your love, and your generosity. I love you and pray in your name, amen.
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