James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion:
Greetings.
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Comment: Declaring Himself as God’s and Jesus’ servant James, apparently the half-brother of Jesus, sends greetings to the dispersed Jews wherever they are. He speaks about many things in this book and in some ways it is like the book of Proverbs up-dated to be after Jesus’ coming. His knowledge of Jesus would extend from childhood as he grew up younger than Mary’s firstborn son.
- Be joyful under testing as testing leads to steadfast, if persisted with, leads to wholeness and perfection.
- Seek wisdom when you need it from God. He is generous and will give it when needed and asked for.
- Ask in faith. Wavering faith is like a wind tossed sea, fluctuating and lacking purpose. No doubt he saw such conditions when he visited Galilee.
- Sadly if you are unstable and uncertain of your stance in faith, don’t expect answers to your prayers.
Prayer: Thank you for this good advice, O God.
As I read it! 