“And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not, for it was founded upon a rock.” Matthew 7:25
Dear Ones:
One of the great reasons for which David was such a great man, in spite of his failures, was that he was a pursuer of God. He was determined to know Him, and His ways, for his eye was on the eternal. David’s experience of God was determined first of all by the truth that he learned about Him. God ALWAYS meets us, and reveals Himself to the heart, according to truth. He can do no other. One of the great truths that David learned was the knowledge of the will of God concerning his “appropriation” of God in truth. The Lord Jesus would liken this matter of appropriation to that of partaking of Him as one would do of bread and wine. In Psalm 46, we find the psalmist declaring: “God IS our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (v.1) These are truths that not only David learned, but other believers. They learned to appropriate God according to the truth BY FAITH. With regard to being “established by Him,” and becoming “unwavering” in one’s attitude towards Him, the Psalmist unveils to us the key: “There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.” (v.4) What is he declaring here? This RIVER, life-giving and powerful, is ever flowing, making glad the city of God. What does it represent? The Psalmist goes on: “God is in the midst of her; SHE SHALL NOT BE MOVED: God shall help her, and that right early.” (v. 5) The key to stability is the appropriation of this ROCK, this RIVER, ever present, ever providing, ever to be sought and found in the everyday events and circumstances of life.
James brings us to the practicality of these truths in the first chapter of his epistle. He writes to the Jewish Christians who are “scattered abroad,” certainly disbursed into other countries, probably because of persecution. There is no doubt that they are facing difficulties and challenges to their faith, for James writes: “Count it all joy when you fall into various trials.” (1:2) It is in this context that he speaks of patience (endurance). But patient endurance in trial needs “wisdom,” and understanding of the Lord’s ways and dealings with us. It is at this point that the call comes to put the foot solidly, and uniquely, upon the ROCK, by asking Him for wisdom. Now, if we have any reservations about the logic of this request, let us remember what the apostle Paul wrote to the Colossian believers concerning the Lord Jesus: “…In whom are hid ALL the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (2:3) He also wrote to the Corinthian believers: “But of Him (God the Father), are ye IN Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us WISDOM…” (1 Cor. 1:30) Here is expressed the proximity and power of God. The call is for us to receive by faith that for which we pray. However, we are confronted with a problem, one that could thwart our seeking of God in and for wisdom. It has to do with doubt. James writes: “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavers is like the wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.” (Ja. 1:6) What a contrast between the house built on the rock which does not move when the wind and waves slam against it. And then, this individual heart which wavers, and staggers, in the face of difficulties and problems. What is the solution, the remedy to this matter?
Again, we come to truth, the truth of God. We go back to the Psalmist, and to Christ, as our ROCK, eternal, and unchanging. His word is absolute. Hence, the words of James ring out in our hearts today: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to ALL men liberally, and upbraideth not; AND IT SHALL BE GIVEN HIM.” (Ja. 1:5)
Dear Father, strengthen our hearts to take our stand upon the reality and truth of Who Thou art, and what Thou hast made Christ to be to us. Enable us to appropriate Him, without wavering, asking and receiving without doubting, for You have promised to give. Give us grace in the trials of life to ever look heavenward, and receive from Thee all that we need to truly honor and glorify Thee. We praise and thank Thee, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad