Read: James 1:1-8 | Bible in a Year: Ruth 1–4; Luke 8:1-25
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask of God, who gives generously to all without finding fault. James 1:5
On April 4, 1968, American civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther
King Jr., was assassinated, leaving millions angry and disillusioned. In
Indianapolis, a largely African-American crowd had gathered to hear
Robert F. Kennedy speak. Many had not yet heard of Dr. King’s death, so
Kennedy had to share the tragic news. He appealed for calm by
acknowledging not only their pain but his own abiding grief over the
murder of his brother, President John F. Kennedy.
Kennedy then quoted a variation of an ancient poem by Aeschylus (526–456 bc):
Even in our sleep, pain which cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart until, in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom through the awful grace of God.
“Wisdom through the awful grace of God” is a remarkable statement. It means that God’s grace fills us with awe and gives us the opportunity to grow in wisdom during life’s most difficult moments.
James wrote, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask of God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5). James says that this wisdom is grown in the soil of hardship (vv. 2-4), for there we not only learn from the wisdom of God, we rest in the grace of God.
Kennedy then quoted a variation of an ancient poem by Aeschylus (526–456 bc):
Even in our sleep, pain which cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart until, in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom through the awful grace of God.
“Wisdom through the awful grace of God” is a remarkable statement. It means that God’s grace fills us with awe and gives us the opportunity to grow in wisdom during life’s most difficult moments.
James wrote, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask of God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5). James says that this wisdom is grown in the soil of hardship (vv. 2-4), for there we not only learn from the wisdom of God, we rest in the grace of God.
Father, in the face of life’s sometimes awful circumstances, may we find Your grace to be a source of awe and wonder. Instruct us in our trials, and carry us in Your arms when we are overwhelmed.
Has the Lord led you through a crisis? Tell us about His faithfulness on Facebook.com/ourdailybread
Has the Lord led you through a crisis? Tell us about His faithfulness on Facebook.com/ourdailybread
The darkness of trials only makes God’s grace shine brighter.
INSIGHT: The
epistle of James was written to a very specific audience—the twelve
tribes scattered among the nations (1:1). This scattering refers to the
results of the persecution of the early church in first-century
Jerusalem. Following the martyrdom of Stephen (Acts 7) and the execution
of James the brother of John (12:1–2), the church became exposed to
widespread attack, forcing Jewish followers of Christ to evacuate their
homeland in search of safety while taking the message of Jesus with
them. This persecution, intended to wipe out the church, instead caused
the message of the gospel to spread throughout the world. Bill Crowder
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