Ask, Believe and Do Not Doubt
But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt,
because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
(James 01: 06 - 08)
The 'Letter of James' or the 'Epistle of James' begins with very strong notes on trials and temptations and brings out a few essential pointers on how to overcome these phases in life. This book in the New Testament, which is traditionally attributed to James the brother of Jesus, was written with the purpose of spiritually encouraging the Jewish Christians who were dispersed outside Israel. In the midst of all the difficulties and temptations that may be around us today, this book becomes a reminder that we must ask, believe and not doubt!
This little passage that we have chosen for today's meditation is about those who doubt. Someone could easily describe 'doubt' as a feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction. In a more descriptive expression, we could say that doubt is the feeling of being uncertain about something or not believing something. It makes me wonder how possible would it be for someone who believes and knows the power of the Lord Jesus Christ to doubt. In a very straightforward answer, we should say, that it is impossible for a believer in Christ Jesus to ask of Him something and then to doubt whether it would be given. There are no "50:50s" with God! There are no "maybe", "could be" and "should be" in Him. There are no phrases such as "most probably" and "if all goes well" in our belief! There is only one thing, and that is "ask, believe and not doubt!" When you ask things within the will of God, and when you depend on His will, then there is only one definite answer - receive!
When we doubt, the Bible says, we become like "the wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind" (James 01: 06b). When we are not definite and strong in our belief in the Lord, we begin to listen to what everyone says. Our head and ears lean towards the right and the left, trying to give in space to what others have to say about our condition and circumstances. We begin to ponder on the same thoughts of negatives again and again, and finally become frustrated. We would not be stable and calm. We will begin to run from here to there, trying to find out an immediate solution because we still have not spent time on reflecting what the Lord can do.
Psalm 46:10 says, "Be still, and know that I am God." It is important for God's children not to panic. It is important for those who have put their trust in the Lord not to be so troubled when you have given things in His hands. God expects us to show our trust in Him by our calmness. We need to be calm. Instead of being like waves that are blown and tossed by the wind, we should be a calm and remain undisturbed even in the midst of all trials and temptations.
The passage also reminds us of a lifestyle! It reminds us of a Christian lifestyle that is marked with calmness, confidence and assurance in the Lord. We are called to be examples of this expression of our belief in the Lord. James, in this letter to 'the twelve tribes of Israel scattered abroad,' very clearly mentions that if someone asks from the Lord and doubts, "That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord" (James 01: 07). This doubt reflects in their lifestyle as they will be people who are "double-minded and unstable in all they do" (James 01: 08).
Today we are called to be believers in the mighty power of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are invited to be the ambassadors of the assurance that we find in Him. We are encouraged to project this confidence that we have in Him. Instead of being a member of the group that is tossed and blown in the wind of doubts, we are called to remind others of the assurance that we have in the Lord. We are called to ask from God and to believe that we will receive what we asked for.
I pray that the power of God the Father, the grace and love of Christ Jesus the Son and the fellowship and guidance of the Holy Spirit be with all of us as we continue to trust the Lord without doubting.
May God bless you.
Yours in Christ,
"Believe" by Hillsong Worship
