This morning as I was reading in James, I came across the scripture below which I had read many, many times before. I am especially referring to the part about the waves of the sea being tossed about by the wind.
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. from James 1
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It struck a new chord in me which was this: How many times do we let the waves of life, the circumstances around us overwhelm us just because we can SEE how big and bad they are.
The waves of the sea can seem incomparable in their natural strength but just think--the wind (which we cannot see and no one knows where it comes from or where it goes)
| "The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit." John 3:8 |
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has control over these big, bad waves even at times making them appear even more big and bad than they could ever be in their own strength.
Of course, that energy and power from water can also be used for good. Harnessing the energy from water is how some of our country is provided electricity. And we know that for the most part, electricity is a very good thing.
Trying to glean what I can from this passage of scripture, when I pray do I send my prayers on their way so that they float with every passing breeze? Or do I send them on their way with a bolt of lightning-like faith.
The book of James has much to say about faith and the "trying" of our faith. It will be my "go to" book for the next few days because my strength and perseverance have wavered in the past few months. I have become weakened and not done my part to stay strong in the Lord. I let the circumstances of life overtake me and now I am trying to regroup and do what I know is right once again.
I can say that my faith in God has NOT wavered in the past few months but my actions have proven that wrong. I have sinned against God by my faithlessness. BUT. . . . and this is where the good news comes into play. . . . . . . .
The beautiful scripture from Mark 9:24--
The father instantly cried out, "I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!"
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There are so many things going on in my life and in the lives of those around me, I want to be equipped to pray the most effective prayers I can pray. I want God to help me overcome my unbelief. When I do not trust Him, I sin and my unbelief takes over. God forgive me. I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief.
