“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind” (James 1:5-6).
Because life is not fair, it often doesn’t make sense.
The wicked’s prosperity and the apparent futility of righteous living almost made Asaph stumble (Psalm 73:1-14). God’s seeming indifference to Judah’s wickedness and the rapid unraveling of the fabric of society in Habakkuk’s day caused great confusion and conflict in the prophet’s mind (Habakkuk 1:1-4). A Messiah who was going to be crucified in Jerusalem instead of overthrowing the Gentile oppressors was unthinkable to the apostle Peter (Matthew 16:21-23).
Adversity, persecution, and loss—the fog of spiritual battle—can befall you quickly and unexpectedly. In this fog, how does the child of God gain an accurate perspective? How can you get the “big picture” when stuck inside the picture’s frame?
If anyone lacks the wisdom to see life and its various trials from God’s perspective, it is not time for despair; it is time for prayer!
The assurance of God’s response to your need is not predicated upon some sort of spiritual eliteness. God’s promise is made to “any of you”, i.e., the scattered Christians of verse one. They are not commanding officers in God’s army; they are His foot soldiers. This promise is not made to a chosen few. It is offered to all.
Instead, the assurance of God’s response is predicated on two essentials—prayer (v. 5) and faith (v. 6). You gotta want wisdom enough to ask and you gotta trust it when it is given. Otherwise, you are just wasting your time and God’s.
Be wise, especially when life doesn’t make sense.