Go to now, ye that say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
James 4:13-17 KJV
http://bible.com/1/jas.4.13-17.KJV
James seemed to really take issue with those that would make future plans. He chatsises them and urges them to say, “if the Lord wills”. This is something that seemed very minor in the scheme of things. People say those things on a regular basis. I can’t count how many times I’ve heard someone casually say, “see you tommorow!” and I couldn’t tell you they were evil for that. However, James expressly points out that God in fact does have a problem with that…why?
First, let me say that I don’t think that anybody who does not say anything along the lines of “Lord willing” is evil. I will say perhaps they know not the weight and or the blessing in what they are saying. “See you tommorow…I’ll be there next week”. Perhaps it’s too morbid to face the reality that this isn’t always the case, though we take it for granted. James hightlights the fragility of life. Furthermore he highlights WHO controls the days of every one of us…that is God. Okay so I got morbid I suppose.
What is the point in all this? The point is that God has to factor into everything that we plan. Honestly God’s in control of everything. And to even suggest tomorrow as though it is a forgone conclusion slights the very One who holds the future. Grant it, not everybody is coldly planning thier future and saying, “I’m going to do this no matter what God says.” Perhaps the matter is of a training of the mind. To be reminded to say, “if the Lord wills” is to be reminded to be reverent and submissive to God. Those little words can keep us humble and thankful as we greet another day. Conversely, the more we fail to acknowledge God’s control and providence in our lives the more we become overly self seeking, self praising and downright conceited. Boastful… You may feel weird saying, “Lord willing” in response to, “will you be coming in to work tomorrow?”. You may even feel like it’s understood so why say it? But God has given us things to remind us and to keep us right with Him. In His infinite wisdom He lovingly tells us, “Not so fast”.
We tend to give ouselves more credit than we deserve sometimes. To vocally give it to God’s will when sharing our plans and when interacting with the world and our brethren is to give God the glory. It is to encourage us and remind us to be thankful. To arrive safely is by way of God giving you that grace. A healthy vocal regimen trains a mental awareness of God in our lives and also serves as an evangelical tool.
Who knew saying something as basic as “See you next week” would hold so much weight. Yet it does. Not to scare you, but to encourage you. Count yourself blessed. A wonderful God has blessed you with this moment. In that moment, while today is still today, give Him the glory. Obey His Son who is able to save you on the day that tomorrow does not come. He promises that all who call on His name by confessing Him as Lord and Savior, washing away thier sins in the watery grave of baptism, dying to the flesh and rising up a brand new child in Christ will live life in eternal joy.
God simply wants us to understand that we need Him. He loves us. He can save us. He protects us everyday. He sustains us. And He blesses us according to His will.
I hope to provide you another blog soon…Lord willing
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