LEARNING DAILY

James 4:13-15, Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit" — yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that."

I wrote down a quote I read somewhere that said, “Overconfidence is often the result of prosperity.” Proverbs 27:1 tells us, “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.” This verse and the verse from James caution Believers to be careful about the attitude they have regarding the making of plans without taking God’s plans into consideration. “It is wrong to do things without God, and it is wrong to plan things without God” (David Jeremiah Study Bible). Before you scoff at this, consider the importance of being humble and grounded in the present moment. This is a reminder to every Believer not to become overly confident or prideful about the plans and goals for the future. It is best to remember and acknowledge human limitations and surrender to the wisdom of God in a world full of uncertainties and unforeseen circumstances.

Proverbs 20:18, “Plans are established by counsel; by wise guidance wage war.” There is nothing wrong with planning and setting goals. There is certainly much to be said in being diligent in doing so. Wisdom says to seek God’s will in doing this; seek wise counsel. Oh, how I wish I had followed that advice over some decisions we have made. It is a matter of recognizing everything is subject to God’s sovereignty. Making well thought-out choices after prayer will save one a headache or two later. I have learned that making plans without seeking God’s guidance not only arrogant but is assuming that our plans are completely within our control.

It is important to consider making plans with humility and to be willing to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. He does want to direct Believers steps, so they align with His plans and His purpose. That is a matter of trust in His wisdom and surrendering the Believer’s plans to Him.

"If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that." This is a statement of total surrender. It is accepting what He wants rather than boasting about tomorrow, as if one can somehow know the future. Be honest – only God knows what each day will hold for each of us. James is not saying do not make plans. He is saying to seek God’s will in making plans. He may want you to change direction, to adjust course. The apostle Paul traveled and made ministry plans, but his habit was to include God in them. Warren Wiersbe wrote “Paul did not consider the will of God a chain that shackled him; rather, it was a key that opened doors and set him free.” That is what Believers must do as they plan. Sensing that He desires a course adjustment should cause you to surrender and adjust the plans you are making to fit His will.

Knowing God’s will comes from a living and abiding relationship with the Lord. If you have read this blog for any length of time you know that relationship is built through spending time with Him in prayer, being in His Word, and being willing to obey Him unconditionally.