All You Had to Do…

Wednesday, June 19   All You Had to Do…   You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. James 4:2   How many times have we heard or said these words: “All you had to do was ask”? What keeps us from asking? Fear of being denied, not wanting to impose or intrude, or thinking we are asking for too much?

Recommended Reading: Luke 11:9-13

The apostle James pointed out the same irony in his epistle: “You do not have because you do not ask.” In his case, his words were a rebuke to his readers because they were using carnal means for getting what they wanted or needed instead of asking God (James 4:1-2). And when they did ask, God didn’t provide because their motives in asking were worldly (James 4:3). Jesus talked about asking God in a more positive light: “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you…. For everyone who asks receives” (Luke 11:9-10). And don’t just ask once; the Greek form of “ask” is literally “keep on asking.”             If you need something today, bring your request to God—with confidence you will receive His answer (Hebrews 4:16).   Most Christians expect little from God, ask little, and therefore receive little, and are content with little. A. W. Pink

Read through the Bible: Psalms 78 – 80