Devotional Thoughts | James Pt. 12

Put God in Charge of Your Plans

 

As we continue the devotional journey through the Epistle of James, we come to a passage which I find most interesting as it addresses the issue of our plans versus God’s plans for us. We all have a tendency to live our lives as though we are the Captain of our own ship, the Master of our own fate. As we do this we lose sight of the fact we are not in control, and the course of our life can be changed instantaneously.  Let’s take a look at our Scripture today:

 

James 4:13 – 17 [NASB]  13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” 14 Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.” 16 But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil. 17 Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.

 

The first thing I see in this passage is the reminder that life is fragile. Those who live in the upper Midwest can relate to the metaphor James uses to illustrate the fragility of life. Who hasn’t stepped outside on a cold winter day and watched their breath form a cloud as the warm moist breath meets the cold winter air? Then watched the cloud disappear in a matter of seconds as the warmth was overcome by the cold air. James says, that is what life is like. In the light of eternity, our 70 – 80-year life span is remarkably brief.

Unfortunately, we live as though we have all the time in the world. We make plans, based on our goals, dreams and ambitions, then we invest heavily of our time, resources, and energy to pursue our plans and goals. James brings us back to reality in these verses.

 

Over the course of our devotions in James, I have repeatedly said, this Epistle is called the book of proverbs for the New Testament. Let’s look at a passage from the Book of Proverbs as it speaks to the subject of life, plans, goals and dreams. As we look at Proverbs 16:1-9 be alert to the themes which are present in both passages.

 

Proverbs 16:1 – 9  [NASB]

 The plans of the heart belong to man,

But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.

2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight,

But the Lord weighs the motives.

3 Commit your works to the Lord

And your plans will be established.

4 The Lord has made everything for its own purpose,

Even the wicked for the day of evil.

5 Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord;

Assuredly, he will not be unpunished.

6 By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for,

And by the fear of the Lord one keeps away from evil.

7 When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord,

He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

8 Better is a little with righteousness

Than great income with injustice.

9 The mind of man plans his way,

But the Lord directs his steps.

 

To summarize, both Solomon and James point out it is okay to make your plans, but to submit your plans to the Lord.

 

The problems arise when plans are made with no thought for God’s plans or purpose.  When we insist on doing it our way, in our time we risk being a modern-day Jonah, not just missing the mark with regards to God’s plans, but literally saying “No” to the Lord’s plans, purposes and way. James calls this out as arrogance and categorizes it as sin. For to know what you should do, and then to willfully do the opposite is exactly that.

 

One of my favorite hymns is titled SUBMISSION by Charles Austin Miles (1868-1946), an American writer of gospel songs who penned at least 398 songs including IN THE GARDEN.

 

In the hymn SUBMISSION Charles Austin Miles captures the truth James states so simply. Listen to these lyrics:

 

The path that I have trod, has brought me nearer God,

Though oft it led through sorrow’s gates. Though not the way I choose,

In my way I might lose the joy that yet for me awaits

 

Refrain

Not what I wish to be, nor where I wish to go,

For who am I that I should choose my way?

The Lord shall choose for me, ‘Tis better far, I know,

So let him bid me go, or stay

 

The cross that I must bear, if I a crown would wear,

Is not the cross that I should take; But since on me ’tis laid,

I’ll take it unafraid, and bear it for the Master’s sake. 

 

Refrain

 

Submission to the will of him who guides me still

Is surety of His love revealed; My soul shall rise above

This world in which I move, I conquer only when I yield.

 

Refrain

 

Our greatest joys, and successes will naturally flow out of submitting our plans, goals, dreams and life to Jesus Christ. Life is so much more fulfilling when we walk in partnership with Him.