The Nugget:
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
My Comment:
This is a wonderful prayer promise. If we lack wisdom, ask for it! This looks like a promise for guidance, to me. There is much in the Bible that can provide us God’s guidance. That would make a good topical Bible study. God promises to give us wisdom, and that he gives it to all liberally, or generously. He does not scold us for not knowing. But to get God’s offered wisdom, we need to ask of God, and He promises it will be given to us.
For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:
(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 1446 for James 1:5.
(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 1465 or in Logos 5 Bible software for James 1:5.
(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:
James 1:5. If. FS184A, 1 C +15:2. any. Ex 31:3, 6. 36:1-4. 1 K 3:7-9, 11, 12. Jb 28:12-28. Pr **3:5-7. 9:4-6. Je 1:6, 7. 2 C 2:16. wisdom. Ps +*51:6. +*119:27. 2 T +*2:7. let him ask. T#395, T#1871. ver. 17. Ja 3:17. 5:16. Ex 3:13. 1 Ch 22:12. 2 Ch 1:10. Pr 2:3-7. 18:1. Is **55:6, 7. Je 29:12, 13. Da 2:18-22. Mt +*7:7-11. Lk **11:9-13. Jn 4:10. 14:13. 15:7. *16:23, 24. 1 J 3:22. **5:14, 15. that giveth. Ps +*32:8. Pr 28:5. Is 28:26. Ac +17:25. and upbraideth. Mt 11:20. Mk 16:14. Lk 15:20-22.
james 1.5 if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of god, that giveth to all men
liberally, and upbraideth not: and it shall be given him. a very encouraging
verse for us to look at and use in daily life. trials will come in our life as believers
the lord told the disciples in” jn 16.33 “these things i have spoken unto you,
that in me you might have peace. in the world ye shall have tribulation: but
be of good cheer; i have overcome the world.”in vs 2-4 james encourages with
the purpose of trials. vs 2 my brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers
temptations;vs3 knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
vs 4 but let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire,
wanting nothing.
there are 2 kinds of wisdom today: 1 wisdom from the world, which james says
3.14-16 but if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts,glory not,and lie
not against the truth. vs 15 this wisdom descendeth not from above, but is
earthly, sensual,devilish. vs 16 for where envying and strife is, there is confusion
and every evil work.
2. wisdom from above the lords wisdom vs 17 but the wisdom from above is first pure, the peaceable,gentle,and easy to be intreated,full of mercy,and good fruits,without
partiality, and without hypocrisy. vs 18 and the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace
of them that make peace.
3.this is available to believers if they ask for it and believe the lord will give it to them.
this is in dependence on the holy spirit and faith. gal 5.16. jas 1.7
4. the lord speaks to us through his word and gives us wisdom to guide us in our daily life. prov 3.5-6 trust in the lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own
understanding.vs6 in all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
5. solomons prayer is a good example of prayer for wisdom! i ki 3.9 give therefore thy
servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that i may discern between
good and bad; for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
6. i co 1.30 but of him are ye in christ jesus, who of god is made unto us wisdom, and
righteousness, and sanctification,and redemption: vs 31 that, according as its written,
he that glorieth, let him glory in the lord.
7. heb 4.15-16 for we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with feeling of
our infirmities; but was all points tempted like as we are yet without sin.
vs 16 let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy,
and find grace to help in time of need.
8 . great is thy faithfulness lam 3.22-23 !