Providential Planning

Sunday Service

James 4:13-17

In this passage, James warned us not to take anything for granted, but to give serious consideration to SIX FACTORS whenever we are making plans for our lives so that God does not get left out of our plans.

1. THE INCAPABILITY OF MAN (v. 13)
We are not capable of making plans or carrying them out apart from God. If we do so, or attempt to make plans without concern or acknowledgement of God, we are essentially exercising ‘practical atheism.’

2. THE UNCERTAINTY OF LIFE (v. 14a)
We don’t know what life will bring tomorrow. There are many things that we have no control over (Proverbs 27:1); we need to consider the uncertainty of life when making our plans.

3. THE BREVITY OF LIFE (v. 14b)
Our life is so brief that God describes it as a ‘vapor’. The shortness of life is a common theme throughout Scripture (Psalm 39:4-5, 90:1).

4. THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD (v. 15)
“If the Lord wills” is an expression of God’s sovereignty over all, including life (Psalm 103:19). All is certain with God - there is no such thing as ‘chance’ or ‘luck’ when it comes to the sovereignty of God. We can express our plans, but unless they coincide with God’s plans, they may indeed change according to His will (Acts 18:21; 1 Corinthians 4:19).

5. THE AUDACITY OF BOASTING (v. 16)
We are guilty of boasting when we do not acknowledge dependence on God for what our future holds. This is boasting in our own ability, and all boasting is considered evil by God because it represents a denial of His sovereignty, which is essentially a rejection of Him (Isaiah 14:13-15; Luke 12:16).

6. THE INIQUITY OF NEGLECT (v. 17)
We know what the right thing to do is according to what Scripture tells us regarding our own frailty and incapability. So, if we neglect to do what we know is right, we commit the sin of commission (Mark 3:26; Matthew 7:21).

Thank God that He is a whole lot smarter than you and His plans are a whole lot better than yours. Ask Him to help you not bitterly resist His will but gladly accept and humbly submit to it whenever He chooses to alter your plans.