Trusting Attitude
Part of a series on Faith by Apostle Aje Pelser
Preached at Harvester Reformational Church, Cape Town
James 1:5-8
“And if, as is the case, anyone of you [when undergoing these trials] is deficient in wisdom, let him keep on presenting his request in the presence of the giving God who gives to all with simplicity and without reserve [a pure, simple giving of good without the admixture of evil or bitterness], and who does not [with the giving of the gift] reproach [the recipient with any manifestation of displeasure or regret], and it shall be given him. But let him be presenting his request in a trusting attitude, not in an expression of that hesitation which vacillates [between faith and unbelief and inclines toward unbelief], for the person who vacillates [between faith and unbelief] is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind; for let not that individual be supposing that he shall receive anything from the presence of the Lord, [being] a dubious, undecided man, vacillating in all his ways.
Maxims that build your trusting attitude towards God.
1. God’s nature is to give without reserve or prejudice. Believing in the goodness and benevolence of God as a being is central to developing your faith and trusting that God will keep His promise in His word. There are no factions in God, there are no favourites but only those who please Him by faith in Jesus Christ His Son.
2. Admit your deficiency and you will access His sufficiency. IF we are wise in our own eyes, we will never access His wisdom. Sometimes admitting you need help is the key to unlock the wisdom those around have to offer. God made us and understands our ways better than we do. When you ask for wisdom He is ready to give according to the first maxim about His intrinsic nature.
3. God never regrets helping you. He has purchased us back from sin with a price and he will never have buyer’s remorse, because we are now twice belonging to him because of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. We sell ourselves out, short and down the river! God sees our value and buys us back and then invests even more into our lives until we reach our full potential and value.
4. Only ask God once you have a trusting attitude that comes from a living, two way relationship. He works only with a trusting attitude of faith and that alone release His favour in a situation. Faith in Jesus’ name unlocks your request in the heavenly throne room of prayer.
5. Don’t waver between two opinions once you’ve made your request. Vacillate means waver between different opinions or actions; be indecisive. (Oxford.) It’s like sowing a seed and digging it up every day because you can’t see it growing. Leave it and water it and trust the germination process.
6. Decide to trust God single-mindedly and it will release His promises in time. That’s where faith and patience becomes the power twins in our walk with God. We can speak more about patience in the next message.
How would you respond when hearing these maxims about faith in God?
Are you sure about God’s nature or have you been disappointed with religion? Has someone misrepresented God the Father to you? A good idea would be to lay that at His feet and ask Him to show you His true nature. Deep inside you know God is your father and that he only wants what is best for you.
Admitting what we lack isn’t easy, but is an important step in the process of developing trust. God won’t despise you if you are honest with Him in reverent fear and respect.
If we’ve made mistakes along the way, we shouldn’t think God has written us off and regretted helping us. If we repent and acknowledge our faults He will forgive us, cleanse us and invest in us again and again through to eternity.
Tell your mind to stop its civil war of opinions and choose a single idea and believe God will help you realize it in His time.
This doesn’t even take a lot of time, it is an understanding of your relationship of trust with a living God that will activate your faith and empower you to go through tremendous challenges and overcome in this life. Give it a try and bring glory to God.