Devotionals

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“You Do Not Have
Because You Do Not Ask”

Focus: James 4:2
You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.

This verse lists some of the things we do to obtain the things we desire: lust, murder, coveting, fighting and war. And yet these actions only serve to escalate the problems because not only have we not obtained our goal to get what we wanted but in addition, we have sinned against God and others!
There are many other actions that can be taken to lead us to this path of self-destruction such as: lying, cheating, deception, manipulation, stealing, disrespect and many, many more. Often times we think lie won’t hurt, or what they don’t know won’t hurt them. But lest we forget that all will be revealed in time. And we will all be held accountable for all of our actions good and bad!
Most of us would say, “Murder! I’ve never murdered anyone!” At least not physically, we haven’t. But there are many ways to “murder” someone. We can murder by our words, such as harsh and undue criticism, by our attitude towards them, or by rejection and neglect. These actions “murder” the heart, the mind and the spirit in others.
But there is hope. The answer is the last sentence in this verse. “Ye have not because ye ask not”. God already knows, any and all of the desires of our heart. He is simply waiting for us to come to Him in prayer and ask! The scripture confirms this in the following verses:

Romans 12:12
Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing instant in prayer.

Ephesians 6:18
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with perseverance and supplication for all saints.

Phillipians 4:6
Be careful for nothing, but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

He has already given us a promise to supply all of our needs. But our wants and desires are dependent upon us in our motivation and inspiration of how we treat ourselves, others and most importantly God. Do we pray only when we want something from God? Do we only remember to study and read the scripture when we’re in need (or want)? Do we only do good deeds for others when it is convenient for us or there is a personal advantage or agenda involved? Do we only have time (or make time) for the Lord or others when we want to make “brownie” points or receive acknowledgement and praise? So that when we ask Him for something we can say, “Look Lord! Look what I did!” or “See what I sacrificed for someone else!”
I’ve got news folks! When you read Matt. 6:1-4
“Take heed that you do not your alms before men, to be seen of them; otherwise you have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when you do your alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. But when you do alms, let not your left hand know what your right hand is doing. That your alms may be in secret and your Father which sees in secret Himself shall reward you openly”.

This explains that self-glorifying deeds bring their own rewards. God does not bless selfish deeds!
If your heart is pure for your desires and wants then seek the Lord in prayer and fasting and as it says in Matt. 7:11 and James 1:17, God will hear and answer.

Matthew 7:11
“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him?”

James 1:17
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, neither shadow of turning.
So let us ask in faith with a right heart and a right mind and for the right reasons. God will hear your requests and answer with far more than you expected.

Amen and God bless.

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