September 5, 2011
That’s a Really Dumb Request!
“That is absolutely the dumbest request anybody has ever made to me. You should be ashamed!” I hope no one has ever heard this afterward a request or a question—however, I’m sure some of us have heard it. We have all probably feared such a response and just kept quiet. I can’t count the number of times my students would preface a question with, “I know this is a dumb question but . . .” My immediate response was, “the only dump question is the one you don’t ask. Thank you for asking.” We simply don’t like to feel dumb and especially don’t like someone else making us feel dumb.
In James 1v5, he says if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously. . . And he adds . . . and without reproach. This phrase intrigues me. Why did the Holy Spirit inspire James to include those three words? KJV translates it, upbraideth not; NIV translates it without finding fault; Holman, translates it without criticizing. The fear of asking a dumb question or making a dumb request apparently was a human weakness even in the first century.
James was assuring his readers that God would not criticize or find fault, or treat their request as if it were dumb. When we ask God something, He will in no way demean our request with reproach. This phrase guarantees God will never respond, “That is absolutely the dumbest request anybody has ever made to me. You should be ashamed! I thought you were more mature than that.”
The context of this verse is the trials believers will endure. The word for trial doesn’t mean merely to bear under; rather it is the ability to turn them into good. Trials won’t weaken us but will make us stronger. They aren’t meant to defeat us, but to make us defeaters. James declares endurance will have a perfect result. It makes us perfect and complete. I’ll be the first to admit that is easier to say than to do. Trials can overwhelm us and leave us not knowing where to turn or what to do next. This is why he tells us to ask God for wisdom.
Wisdom is not merely philosophic speculation or the intellectual ability to retain facts. One writer says—wisdom is “the supreme and divine quality of the soul whereby man knows and practices righteousness”. Wisdom is practical. It is the means of turning knowledge into action. You don’t have to be the smartest kid on the block to have wisdom. I’ve known Christians who were illiterate—couldn’t read a word—but God had blessed them with His wisdom. On the other hand, we’ve all known people who could win Jeopardy with all the information in their brain. Yet, they couldn’t change a light bulb without assistance.
God doesn’t just give knowledge; for those who ask, He gives wisdom so they can practice righteousness even during difficult times.
Wisdom is not only for the major trials of life, it is available for the smallest issues we may encounter. One lesson I wish I had heeded sooner was seeking God’s help for the little things. Yet, I look back and wonder if I felt God would think less of me for asking help with petty concerns that I believed I should know how to handle. Thankfully, I now understand that nothing is too small or insignificant; and He will never think I’m dumb for asking.
Sustaining Word for the Week:
There are no dumb questions or dumb requests when it comes to our Heavenly Father. He’s waiting for us to ask, so He can generously give us His wisdom; and remember James also taught, you do not have because you do not ask (4:2).