God’s Help for Our TrialsSample

We Serve a Gracious God

Seeking God’s guidance is our privilege and our right as His children. Scripture tells us that God is not only generous in giving wisdom, but He is also gracious. He doesn’t criticize or scold us when we come to Him in need. This aspect of God’s character is crucial to understand. Too often, we approach God hesitantly, fearing that our requests are too trivial or that we are a bother. However, the reality is quite the opposite. Every time we turn to God for wisdom, we affirm our trust in Him and acknowledge His sovereignty over our lives.

Moreover, God’s promise to give wisdom is not conditional or tentative but a guarantee. “It will be given,” says James. This assurance is a testament to God’s faithfulness. He is to live guided by truth. The promise is an invitation to rely on Him in every circumstance.

However, it comes with a caveat: we must ask in faith without doubting. Doubt, like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind, undermines our ability to receive God’s wisdom. A double-minded approach, wavering between trust in God and reliance on our understanding, can hinder us from fully embracing what God is ready to provide.

This devotional, therefore, is not just about God’s willingness to give wisdom; it’s also about our readiness to receive it in faith. It’s a call to approach God with a heart full of trust, casting aside doubt and embracing His promise.

Our God is a God of generosity, grace, and faithfulness, eager to guide us through every trial and decision. Let us then, with confidence and without wavering, continually seek Him, trusting in His promise to generously provide all that we need to navigate life's complexities. In doing so, we not only gain guidance for our current trials but grow in our faith and understanding of who God is and how deeply He cares for us.

This devotional was based on a sermon by Richard Caldwell. To listen to this sermon and an episode of the Straight Truth Podcast related to this message, visit our website https://straighttruth.net/choosing-joy-a-biblical-perspective-on-happiness-and-suffering/