You Have A Plan?
Opening Prayer
Gracious God, I know You are sovereign over time and history. All things are under Your holy control.
Read James 4:13-17
[13] Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” [14] Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. [15] Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” [16] As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. [17] If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
How do you feel about James's definition of sin (17)?Jesus told a story in Luke 12 about a man who had barns and decided he would build bigger barns and then relax and live an indulgent life. Except that he had forgotten one thing–he didn’t really have any control over his life. You’ll remember that the Grim Reaper visited and took him before he got to enjoy his gains. I wonder if James had this story in mind as he addressed the traveling merchants (13)! Life on the road has that illusion of complete freedom. You’re your own boss, and you can do as you please, or so you think. It can also give the illusion of invincibility (13). But the truth is, we are all one breath away from our last (14)! This isn’t meant to be a spoiler on life, but to ensure that we always live with perspective (14). We’ve already seen that James has little time for boasting about one’s own achievements. That’s because humility can’t co-exist with boasting (16). James isn’t saying “Don’t plan,” but he is urging us to hold our plans loosely, because God may have other ideas (15).
Apply
How do you know when your plans are what the Lord wants? Ask God to keep you constantly seeking his will in every endeavor.
Closing prayer
Lord, I bring my plans and dreams to You because You are in charge of all things. I ask for Your guidance and direction.
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