James 1:6

Verse 6. Let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.

The Revised Version is clearer "nothing doubting." Doubting conveys the idea evidently intended much more distinctly than the word "wavering." At least it so strikes my mind. The idea is that, in asking for wisdom which we lack in relation to our Christian duties and life, there should be no hesitation growing out of a lurking belief that the request may not be granted. Such is doubt, and the same ought not to exist. Having doubts about God's willingness to bestow the needed wisdom simply exhibits a sickly, weak or defective faith, whereas a true faith never wavers, never staggers, never hesitates, never doubts. Here, now, for a moment let us consider the faith of Abraham, for it will drive away all lingering mists that hang about this question. Paul says of Abraham that not being weak in faith, "he staggered not at the promises of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God" (Romans 4:20). This is the faith James calls a faith nothing wavering. Such will receive a favorable response from the God of his salvation on his application for needed wisdom.

A wave of the sea.

A very beautiful figure. It so clearly outlines the doubter. A wave is created by the wind on ocean's bosom. The water of which it is composed is changed by the force that brought it as a wave into existence into another wave and driven into another locality, and so, moving from place to place, and from one form into another, is wholly unstable in any one of its forms.