Shortsighted

“. . . ye have not because ye ask not.” (James 4:2)

In this letter, James dealt with lustful and greedy people envious of one another. But even with a pure heart, if you don’t ask, don’t be disappointed when you don’t receive. Likewise, just because you ask God for something in faith does not mean you will get it.

I had never envisioned a “dream home.” Even though the house sat on a beautiful property in the country, with trees, a pond, and only one other homestead nearby—all the qualities we hoped for—this was not it. But our realtor told us the house had been on the market for over a year and was confident the selling price was negotiable. She was correct. Accepting our offer, the owner gave his word to let us know when he was ready to sell the acreage next to ours (we were concerned someone would set up a junkyard next to us). We rented the house while waiting for the paperwork’s completion, and once settled in, God reminded me of His words to Abraham about the Land of Promise, “Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee” (Genesis 13:17). So, I went outside and began walking, claiming new boundary lines. As I walked, I prayed, asking God if we were to have the additional land, He would provide. I returned home with peace; the matter was in God’s hands.

Before signing the final paperwork, we discovered the house earlier had suffered considerable damage from the foundation settling, but the owner camouflaged it with plaster and paint. At fault, he had to employ a reputable company to stabilize the foundation (quite pricey). We faced a perturbed owner at the signing and learned later he sold the property he promised us. But he didn’t know about my property walk with God.

Seven years later, the couple who bought the land asked if we were interested in purchasing some of the property—the same acres I walked and claimed! At the signing of the sale, to my surprise, we sat face-to-face with the man who broke his word (he held the note for the couple), grumbling as we completed the purchase. God once again proved Himself faithful. But what if on my property walk, I was shortsighted, settling for what satisfied a concern about a junkyard, and missed God’s best by not claiming all He had for us?

Do you need to step out in faith with a decision you’re facing? Remember, “You have not because you ask not,” or you asked for the wrong reasons (v. 3). Seek God, the Owner and Keeper of everything that exists; His supply is limitless. He knows your heart’s concerns and your needs; trust Him to supply. He is always faithful with your best interest in mind, and as you step out in faith, guard against shortsightedness, settling for what seems good yet missing God’s best. Claim all that He has for you, even that which you can’t see or understand. When you surrender to God’s will, you are already living in victory and will experience inner peace—no matter the outcome. Trust Him and start walking.