Devotion

Afflictions
by Connie Giordano

"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." --- James 1:5

Someone once said, "Afflictions are often God's best blessings sent in disquise." 

Thomas Brooks said, "Afflictions are blessings." 

Matthew Henry said, "Afflictions are sent for this end, to bring us to the throne of grace, to teach us to pray and to make the word of God's grace precious to us." He also said, "Many are taught with the briars and thorns of affliction that would not learn otherwise."

Martin Luther said, "Affliction is the Christian's theologian."

When was the last time you encountered a trial of some sort? While going through this time of testing, did you count it as "God's BEST blessing sent in disguise"? Did you see it at all as a "blessing"? Probably not! However, as you neared the end of the tunnel so to speak and began to look back, you finally realized that great things happened to you through it all. This affliction did teach you so much - gave you such insight and perspective on things and people that you never had before. This affliction drove you to your knees and seemed to drive you to find real answers in the Word of God. 

"Affliction IS the Christian's theologian". I like that! Probably because it is so true a statement. Martin Luther made that statement because he simply went through much affliction himself for the cause of Christ and gleaned such wisdom and knowledge from it.

Did I say "WISDOM"? The Apostle James in speaking of trials opened up something for us here. He instructed us to seek wisdom in the midst of our trials. Why wisdom? Well, for one thing, our understanding of things can become so clouded while going through the "fire". Satan can attack so severely that we begin to question, "Where is God?", "Why is God allowing this?". "Why am I going through this?", "What did I do to deserve this?", ""What good could possibly come out of this?", "Will things ever change for me?", "Why am I suffering because of someone else's rebellion and disobedience?".

If answers don't come, a decision can be made to forsake such a God Who would allow such horrible things to happen. Who said that God caused it to happen? Did we sin and open the door for the devil to attack? Did we reject godly counsel and end up in a total mess of our own volition? Are we suffering because of someone else's disobedience or our own? Notice that trials do bring many questions that seem to torment our minds unless answered. So now we can see why the Apostle James instructs us to seek for wisdom at this time. At a time when doubts and fears seem to assail our souls like never before, it makes great sense to ask God for WISDOM. At a time when we seem to be walking on shaky ground and don't know where to turn or what to do, it is the smartest thing to ask God for WISDOM. At a time when Satan's darkness has encompassed us and we cannot see the LIGHT, why not cry out to God for LIGHT - His WISDOM? Like I earlier mentioned, it is at this place where many turn back from following the Lord, simply because they fail to obey James' instruction to ask God for WISDOM. 

IF ANY MAN LACK WISDOM - This puts us all in the same boat, doesn't it? It does not matter how much money we have, how beautiful or handsome we are, how intelligent we are or think we are, this instruction is for all of us - "any man". 

"LACK" - In a time of great prosperity, many would not like to admit that they lack anything. However, God knows how to keep us humble, doesn't He? He will bring us to a place where we will see that we lack and need Him to supply. In fact, for those of us that are walking with Him day by day, it should be an understood thing - "I need Thee, O I need Thee, every hour I need Thee..." 

"WISDOM" - We see that in a trial we are certainly going to lack wisdom. We will never be able to figure it out with our finite mind. We could not possibly understand ALL that is happening at this time in the physical as well as the spiritual realm. (Take Job's case for an example.) We might as well not try to figure it out - just ask God for WISDOM. 

LET HIM ASK OF GOD - Notice that the Apostle James did not say to run to a man. He did not say to run to a specialist. a theologian, a psychiatrist, a counselor, etc. They may give some insight (that is, if their counsel is based on the Word of God), but unless they receive supernatural instruction from the Holy Spirit, they, too, are limited in their understanding and viewpoint. 

THAT GIVETH TO ALL MEN LIBERALLY, AND UPBRAIDETH NOT - When studying God's Word, we should always look for insight into the Character of God. After all, we are supposed to be growing in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ every day. Here in this particular verse, James gives us two beautiful pictures of God. First of all, God is so understanding and compassionate towards us. He understands our dilemma. He is right there with us in the trial, hurting along with us, and watching and waiting for us to call on His assistance. How do I know this? Because the Scripture says that He "gives to all men liberally". He is no respecter of persons. He is ready to GIVE, GIVE, GIVE, and GIVE some more. He could turn His back on us at this time. He could make us try to fend for ourselves for awhile. But the Scripture says he "GIVETH ... LIBERALLY." That speaks to me of a God that wants to help us, wants to carry us, wants to uphold us and undergird us. HALLELUJAH!

AND UPBRAIDETH NOT - The Holy Spirit may have placed this statement here for all of us who have encountered rejection so many times from man and would think that God would treat us similarly. How many times have we gone to man for help and find that he is too busy or after a time is irritated that we are calling on him again for prayer, a listening ear, godly counsel, a shoulder to cry on, etc. But we don't have to worry about God ever reacting this way. He "UPBRAIDETH NOT". He won't get an attitude when He sees us coming again for the hundredth time to talk or ask for help. He won't insult us, snub us, treat us as being stupid and not able to catch on too quickly, slam the door in our face, etc. That word "UPBRAID" simply means to rebuke or treat harshly. God won't do that to you and me. Man may do it. God won't. 

AND IT SHALL BE GIVEN HIM - It shall! It shall! It shall! It's a promise from God. Count it a done deal! God won't rescind on any of His promises. He is Faithful to His Word! 

Perhaps you are going through a trial at this time. Take courage and be sure to ask God for WISDOM. Or you may have gone through a trial recently and gleaned some WISDOM as a result. Why not share with someone the lessons or insight that God taught you? Don't hold back. You never know how your testimony can help someone today. It may just be what someone is needing to hear from the Lord. 

About the Author

Connie Giordano is an ordained minister of the Gospel. A year ago the Lord Jesus called her to teach the Word of God to His people through e-mail. She started out by sending her Daily Messages to a small group of about 25 people. Now over 1,000 believers are receiving her Daily Messages and being strengthened and encouraged in their Walk with the Lord. If you would like to receive these messages, write to doeroftheword@juno.com.