I hope you have joined us in our journey through James this year. We are taking it in small morsels so it should not be overwhelming. May I encourage you to meditate on the Scripture selection each week and by years end you will have meditated your way through the book of James.
James 1:6-8
But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Commentary:
“There is one thing necessary to be observed in our asking, v. 6. There must be no wavering, no staggering at the promise of God through unbelief….Sincerity of intention, and steadiness of mind, constitute another duty required under affliction…To be sometimes lifted up by faith, and then thrown down again by distrust – this is very fitly compared to a wave of the sea, that rises and falls, swells and sinks, just as the wind tosses it higher or lower, that way or this. The success of prayer is spoiled hereby, b. 7. Such a distrustful shifting, unsettled person is not likely to value a favour from God as he should do, and therefore cannot expect to receive it. A wavering faith and spirit has a bad influence upon our conversations, v. 8. There will be great unsteadiness in all our conversations and actions. He that is unstable as water shall not excel.” [Matthew Henry’s Commentary in One Volume pg. 1930-1931]
“There is one thing necessary to be observed in our asking, v. 6. There must be no wavering, no staggering at the promise of God through unbelief….Sincerity of intention, and steadiness of mind, constitute another duty required under affliction…To be sometimes lifted up by faith, and then thrown down again by distrust – this is very fitly compared to a wave of the sea, that rises and falls, swells and sinks, just as the wind tosses it higher or lower, that way or this. The success of prayer is spoiled hereby, b. 7. Such a distrustful shifting, unsettled person is not likely to value a favour from God as he should do, and therefore cannot expect to receive it. A wavering faith and spirit has a bad influence upon our conversations, v. 8. There will be great unsteadiness in all our conversations and actions. He that is unstable as water shall not excel.” [Matthew Henry’s Commentary in One Volume pg. 1930-1931]
Written By Diane Hunt: Diane Hunt serves on the board of America’s Keswick and provides ministry support from her home in North Carolina. She is also a biblical counselor and women’s event speaker. For more information about having Diane speak at your next event please contact her at dhunt@americaskeswick.org.
