James 1:7-8

That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. (NIV)

Don't think you're going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open. (The Message)

This is the continuation from verse 7 and basically, this is saying that if we allow ourselves to be tossed and turned like the waves on the sea, if we are full of doubts, worries, and don't really trust God, don't believe He can answer our prayers, if we think more of the things of this world than the things of God, then He won't answer our prayers. Why should we expect, even half heartedly, God to provide, if we don't believe He can or will? Why should He answer our prayers if we have one eye on God and the other on what we can achieve for ourselves in this world?

It's a case of seeing where our loyalties lie. Do we really, truly trust God, or do we put more faith in the things of this world? Do we rely more on our money, our jobs, our friends and neighbours, than we do God? Do we think more highly of gaining prestige, getting our five minutes of fame , getting that promotion, that new job, than we do of God? What idols are we putting in our lives before God?

It says in my commentary that the actual translation of verse 8 is having one's mind or soul divided between God and the world. It is hypocritical to sometimes believes in God but fail to trust Him when times are hard, when the time of testing comes. Such a person, such a non believer, receives nothing and it is clear that this verse refers to non believers, not those who are full of genuine doubt but have a real faith in God.

You can't only trust and believe in God in the good times. A genuine faith is put to the test when the hard times come, when things don't go as we want or expect. How do we react when under pressure or stress? Do we say that following God has only brought us to this point and give up? Do we curse and rail at God because things aren't going our way, we can't get what we want, or feel that we deserve? Do we blame God for the things we are going through, the problems we are having? Do we seek God at all times and in all circumstances no matter what we are going through, whatever hardships and troubles we may be experiencing?

Sometimes we go through trials because God is refining us, making us stronger, deepening our faith. Sometimes we go through trials because God has allowed the enemy to test us. Just take a look at Job and all he went through because satan happened to be walking to and for over the earth and see Job, and thought that he would be able to get Job to curse God if bad things happened to him.

Bad things happen, even (maybe especially?) to Christians. Life hurts at times and often it feels as if the odds against us are overwhelming, but we have faith in one who ahs overcome this world and all that is in it. Because Of Jesus, we can rest easy knowing that everything we go through here on earth is temporary, fleeting, and will be gone in an instant in comparison to the time we will spend in heaven for eternity.

I was watching Max Lucado last night and one thing he said really struck me. Here on earth is the closets some people will get to hell, but then here on earth is also the closest some people will get to heaven. Where do you put your trust, your faith? Is it in the things of this world, that will be here today and gone tomorrow and is earth the closest to heaven that you will get? Or do you trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, having accepted him as your Lord and Saviour, believing he is the Son of God and that he died on the cross for your sins, my sins? Is earth the closest you will get to hell?