James 1:7

Letters to the Faithful - James 1:7

Berean Standard Bible

That man should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

King James Bible

For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

Greek Text:

μὴ γὰρ οἰέσθω ὁ ἄνθρωπος ἐκεῖνος ὅτι λήψεταί τι παρὰ τοῦ Κυρίου

Transliteration:

mē gàr oiesthō ho ánthrōpos ekeînos hóti lēmpsetai ti parà toû Kyríou

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That man

The phrase "that man" refers to the individual described in the preceding verses, specifically the one who doubts. In the context of James 1, this person is contrasted with someone who asks God for wisdom with faith. The term "man" here is generic, representing any person, regardless of gender, who lacks faith. This reflects the broader biblical principle that faith is essential in one's relationship with God, as seen in Hebrews 11:6, which states that without faith, it is impossible to please God.

should not expect

The idea of expectation is tied to faith and trust in God. In biblical terms, expectation is often linked with hope and assurance in God's promises. The lack of expectation here is a direct result of doubt, which undermines the confidence one should have in God's willingness and ability to provide. This aligns with the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 21:21-22, where faith without doubt is emphasized as a condition for receiving from God.

to receive anything

The concept of receiving from God is central to the Christian faith, where believers are encouraged to ask and receive according to God's will (1 John 5:14-15). However, the absence of faith and presence of doubt hinder this process. The "anything" here underscores the comprehensive nature of God's provision, which is not limited to material needs but includes wisdom, guidance, and spiritual blessings.

from the Lord

The term "Lord" refers to God, emphasizing His sovereignty and authority. In the New Testament, this often refers to Jesus Christ, who is the mediator between God and humanity. The relationship between the believer and the Lord is foundational, and faith is the means by which this relationship is maintained. The Lord's role as the provider is seen throughout Scripture, such as in Philippians 4:19, where God is described as supplying all needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

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Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ,

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Today, we turn our hearts and minds to the sacred words of the Epistle of James, a letter of piercing clarity and deep moral insight. In particular, we reflect on a single verse—James 1:7—which reads: *“For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord.”* These words, sharp and solemn, come in the midst of an exhortation on faith, trial, and prayer. And though brief, they contain a thunderous warning, a call to integrity in belief, and a plea for single-hearted devotion to the God who gives generously and without reproach.

Let us hear what the Spirit says through James. He speaks of the one who doubts—of the one who, when asking God for wisdom or guidance, is inwardly torn, like a wave tossed by the sea, driven and blown by the winds. And then he delivers the warning: “Let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord.” Why? Because God is not a God to be trifled with. He is not an accessory to our plans or a backup when our own schemes falter. He is the sovereign Lord of heaven and earth. He is not moved by duplicity, nor can He be manipulated by the divided heart. If we come to Him while keeping one foot in the world and one in the kingdom, if we approach Him half in faith and half in doubt, if we seek Him with words but deny Him with our trust, we must not expect His answer. Not because He is stingy with His gifts—on the contrary, James has just said that God gives *liberally to all men*—but because He is holy, and He will not honor the prayers of a heart that is not wholly His.

This is not a verse meant to drive us into despair, but into reality. We live in a culture of indecision, of half-hearted commitments, of hedging bets and keeping options open. We are told to keep our minds open—so open, in fact, that sometimes our convictions fall out. We are taught to entertain every philosophy and tolerate every ideology, even those that contradict the truth of God. And in the midst of this confusion, James comes to us as a prophet. He tells us plainly: God does not honor double-mindedness. We must be all in. Faith must be wholehearted, or it is not faith at all.

You see, faith is not merely the mental assent to theological ideas; it is trust—deep, resolute, unshakable trust in the character and promises of God. When we come to Him in prayer, we are not reciting a spiritual formula; we are coming to a living Person, a Father who sees our hearts and desires truth in the inmost parts. To doubt Him in our asking is to insult His nature. It is to treat the God of all comfort as though He were unreliable, as though He might change like shifting shadows, as though He were like man—fickle, uncertain, capricious. But God is none of those things. He is constant. He is faithful. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. And so, to doubt Him is not a small thing. It is a rupture in the relationship we are meant to have with Him. It is a wound to the trust that must be at the center of all true prayer.

Now, let us be clear. There is a kind of doubt that seeks understanding, that wrestles toward belief, like the father of the demon-possessed boy who cried out, “Lord, I believe! Help my unbelief!” That is a cry God answers, for it is honest and humble. But there is another kind—a corrosive, cynical, double-minded kind of doubt that keeps God at arm’s length and pretends to trust while secretly reserving allegiance for self or the world. That is the doubt James condemns. That is the heart that cannot receive from God, not because God is unwilling, but because such a heart is closed.

Do you see now why James is so strong in his warning? It is not because he wants to shut the door on the struggling or the weak. It is because he wants to awaken us to the truth that God cannot fill a cup that is already full of the world. He cannot guide a will that refuses to yield. He cannot grant wisdom to one who already thinks he knows better. Faith is not merely a feeling—it is a posture of surrender, a recognition that God is God and we are not. And when we come to Him like that, He *does* give. He gives lavishly. He gives not only what we ask, but more than we can imagine. But He gives to the one who asks in faith.

So what shall we do, brothers and sisters? If we feel our faith faltering, let us not pretend. Let us come before God with honesty. Let us say, “Lord, I want to trust You. I want to believe Your promises. Cleanse my heart from double-mindedness. Root out the hidden idols. Teach me to trust You with a whole heart.” That is a prayer He will answer. That is a soul He will receive. For though He resists the proud, He gives grace to the humble. He does not despise a broken and contrite heart.

Beloved, if you are in the midst of trial—if the winds of life are tossing you about—do not be like the wave, driven and unstable. Plant your feet on the rock that is Christ. Anchor your soul in the promises of God. Let your yes be yes and your no be no. Cast yourself wholly upon Him. Trust in Him and not in yourself. And then, when you ask, you will receive. Not always what you expect, not always in your timing, but always what is good, what is wise, what is perfect in His sight.

For our God is a generous God. He is the Father of lights, with whom there is no shadow of turning. Come to Him, then, with your whole heart. Let faith rise within you like a holy fire. And let not that man think he shall receive anything of the Lord who doubts—for the Lord is worthy of our trust, and He honors those who trust Him.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all, now and forevermore. Amen.

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Almighty and Everlasting God, Creator of heaven and earth, the Giver of every perfect gift, we come before You now with reverent hearts, trembling with awe at the weight of Your holiness and the majesty of Your presence. You are the God who dwells in unapproachable light, and yet You stoop to hear the cries of Your children. You are merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. There is none like You in all the earth, and none beside You. You are our refuge and our rock, our shield and our exceedingly great reward.

O Lord our God, we confess before You that we are but dust. We are frail and finite, prone to wander, easily shaken, and slow to believe. We have often approached You with lips that speak trust, while our hearts harbor doubt. We have said we believe, but our minds have wavered like the restless sea. We have asked for Your wisdom and guidance, yet we have not always asked in faith. We have questioned Your ways when they did not align with our own. We have doubted Your goodness in the face of trial, and we have trusted in our own understanding rather than in the counsel of Your Spirit. Forgive us, O Lord, for the duplicity of our hearts.

We cry to You now, O Holy One, for a pure and undivided heart. Rend the veil of pretense that covers us, and lay bare all that is false within us. Drive out every double-minded thought, every allegiance to the world, every idol that competes for the throne of our soul. Let us not be like the wave that is tossed to and fro by the winds of this age. Deliver us from the instability that comes from unbelief. Teach us to stand upon the sure foundation of Your promises, to take You at Your word, and to believe that You are who You say You are—the Rewarder of those who seek You in faith and truth.

O Lord, increase our faith. Stir within us a holy resolve to trust You without hesitation, to follow You without turning back, and to rest in You without fear. Let faith arise in the deepest chambers of our being. Let it be as an anchor for our souls, firm and secure. When we ask, let us ask believing—not in ourselves, nor in outcomes, but in You. For You are faithful and true, and You do not change. You are not a man that You should lie, nor a son of man that You should change Your mind. What You have promised, You will fulfill.

O God of all wisdom, we ask for the grace to approach You boldly yet humbly, with hearts wholly Yours. Strip away every trace of cynicism and spiritual pride. Root out the unbelief that hides behind worldly wisdom. Make us simple before You—simple in our trust, simple in our obedience, simple in our surrender. May we never approach You with a heart divided, saying one thing while believing another. Let the words of our mouth and the meditation of our heart be acceptable in Your sight. Let our prayers rise like incense, pure and undefiled.

We ask not for riches, nor for comfort, nor for earthly security, but for wisdom—heavenly wisdom that flows from above. Give us the mind of Christ. Give us discernment to see as You see, courage to act as You command, and peace that surpasses understanding. But grant us these things only if we ask in faith, with full confidence in Your goodness. Let not our asking be mere formality, nor our prayers empty routine. Let them be born of earnest faith, born of love, born of deep communion with You.

Have mercy upon us, Lord, for when we doubt, it is not You we doubt, but the trustworthiness of Your nature. And yet You are always faithful, even when we are not. You remain near, even when our faith is small. Thank You for Your patience with us, for Your longsuffering and tenderness. Thank You that even now, You beckon us to come—just as we are—but not to remain as we are. Thank You for the transforming power of Your Spirit, who burns away our impurities and renews our inner man day by day.

O Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on us now. Fill us with a steadfast faith that no storm can shake. Baptize our minds in truth, our hearts in fire, and our wills in obedience. May we be found faithful in the secret place, unwavering in prayer, constant in devotion, and wholly dependent on Your mercy. Let every request we bring before You be wrapped in holy trust. And if ever we waver, if ever we falter, draw us back with cords of kindness. Remind us that You are able, You are willing, and You are near.

And now, Most High God, we ask You to hear us not because we are worthy, but because Jesus is. We come in His name alone, standing in His righteousness, clothed in His grace. It is through His blood that we dare to speak, and it is by His intercession that we are heard. Strengthen our faith that we may live in a manner worthy of the calling we have received. Let us never doubt Your love, never question Your hand, and never hesitate to trust in Your will.

Receive this prayer, O Lord, and do what seems good in Your sight. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.

Amen.