Water has little control over its location at any given time. It’s moved about by a number of factors: gravity, the shape of its container (saucer or shoreline), displacement (a body moving it or moving through it), sunlight, and wind. While it is a powerful force, water is at the beck and call of whatever can move it.
So, when James encourages a faith that is steadfast during trials, waves driven by the wind is NOT the picture we should have in mind (Ja 1:3-4): “…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” (vv. 6-8). Sadly, that picture commonly describes God’s people.
Adam and Eve second-guessed God’s goodness in the garden (Gen 3:1-6). Israel, just one month after leaving Egypt, wished they had died in Egypt rather than starve by God’s “neglect” in the wilderness (Ex 16:2-3). When they were thirsty, they cried out, “Is the Lord among us or not?” (17:7). David stood confidently against the giant Goliath but ran in fear from the man Saul (1 Sam 16, 20-21). Asa, king of Judah, depended on God’s might and mercy against an army of a million but trusted in his own schemes against a lesser enemy (2 Chr 16:8-9). Peter courageously stepped out of the boat to walk with Jesus, then began to sink when he looked at the wind and the waves about him (Mt 14: 28-31). And me? Doubt is so common among us we might like to say it is a natural human response.
But faith knows differently. Faith is suspicious of personal strength, cautious of human perspective, and altogether distrusting of slanders of God’s character. Faith knows we’re weak and need help, so we ask a God who is both capable and gracious. What keeps us from being tossed around by doubts? The surest thing of all: the faithful character of the almighty God (2 Tim 2:13).
Staking our faith deep in God’s character keeps us from shifting in doubt.His goodness is the unmovable. And so we pray. We “ask in faith,” knowing what happens next—whatever happens— is the gracious wisdom of God. Maybe it will feel akin to what Job felt, but may we respond the way Job responded in his steady trust in God: “Blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21).
So pray, dear friends. Pray in faith. And hold firm to the Rock through the shifting of life’s circumstances.
—Justin Dobbs