Unstable

James 1:6-9

But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:

Guilt does strange things to people sometimes. Notice two things: a misplaced focus and a misdirection. Such people are often seen like so many ships tossed by the waves of the sea and the winds of the spirit. Here are they seen best as evidenced in the unstable, double-minded man. Sure, none can make a mockery of God. Yet this is always seen secondary as a result of the double minded man. See, man does as only he can, unstable in all his ways. To borrow a modern-day term, this man is unhoused. He could turn up at any second in the pigpen with the prodigal son, back at the Father's house, or in those divers places spoken of in the text. Sure, earthquakes frequent divers' places along with other strange creatures. Even now are some seen as those demonic spirits roaming the waste places of the earth following the cleaning of their former abode. Unstable loosely connects to the chaotic shaking movements of the earth as its' foundations are moved. How many know that when you build your house upon the Lord, you will never be moved.

Notice also the result. The text says such shall not think to receive ought from the Lord. Better not to ask, and better still not to receive. At such a time will the wages surely be as according to the actions done whether good or bad. You might think you are funny and cute now. You might even consider yourself to be doing something to get even or get by with God. But how many know that God keeps the score. He knows your frame even as but dust. So too he settles the accounts. These should be very comforting texts indeed to someone that likes to keep count. I can hear some of you now saying 'I'm far from perfect but he's still working on me.' Somebody shout 'I'm unstable but useful; glory hallelujah, ain't God good.' How many of you know that the God which holds the whole world in his hands also settles it. Consider how intimately it knows him. From the tips of his fingers upon the mountains which tremble to the very touch of the palms of his hands on the wood of Calvary's tree. There the very earth fell apart as it were in light of his glory. Consider then how he knows his creation. Is it not found within in his very name, Immanuel, the God who walks with us.

See the form of the earth as void from the beginning with darkness uon the face of the deep. The position of the deep places then is as those far removed from the face of God. Notice the earth's response to the Lord as one intimately known and loved by him. Oh, to simply be still and know his power. The double-minded man is striving; he is tossed by the waves, confused by the winds, trying, tired, and more often than not worn out. See, he turned left five minutes ago. Now he has turned all the way around and is coming back the way he came; then he turns right back around and goes out in a different direction altogether. My friends, God did not create you to be like that. Imagine being in the house for five minutes and gone back out the next like a horde of wild cats and often with the same effect. See, the difference between that man and you is reliance on the Lord.

For this reason, the brother of low degree rejoices because he has waited on the Lord. Notice how Christ said absolutely nothing about your personal habits nor yet your own mental health. He said only to wait upon himself. Indeed, has he not brought up such to a higher place with no degree necessary. Is it not wonderful how God will exalt you like no one else can. Regardless of gifts or qualifications, if God is the one who placed it within you will he not then be the one to bring it out. For so it is his hands pierced up on the cross of Calvary for you and for me. Ask me then how the man knowing nothing of this world but possessing only God could then be risen again. Look now, he sits on God's right hand awaiting the throne of his Father. Just as the earth waits for his time, so you also wait within the hidden places of his hands for your time to come. For there is nothing wasted, nothing wanting. How comforting it is then to wait upon his hands and so to know him as well.