I shared these thoughts in a small group setting of twenty-somethings this past Friday from James 4:13-17.
Keep in mind that James is addressing Christians. He is speaking to Christian believers who were not living their life with God’s plans first and foremost in their thoughts and life. The key verse in this passage: verse 15.
Jeremiah 29:11 reads, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
If there is one thought seems to permeate throughout James 4, it is this: Submission to God.
We are to submit to God our desires and wants (vv. 1-3).
We are to submit to God in our relationship with Him (vv. 4-6).
We are to submit to God in our relationships with one another (vv. 11-12).
We are to submit to God our plans (vv. 13-17).
James addresses Presumptuous Living by Christians. Proverbs 19:21 reads, "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails."
Some examples of Presumptuous planning can be found throughout the Bible. Here are just a few: Gen 11:4 (humankind after the flood); Jer 22:13-14 (the luxurious king); Luke 12:16-21 (the Rich fool); and Jame 4:13 (the venturesome business man).
In making goals and plans for the future, believers must always consider God’s will. We must not act like the rich fool in Luke 12; rather we must recognize that peace, contentment, and happiness is found in our daily living, completely dependent on God. We must consider the Lord’s will in our planning and daily living. “…If the Lord’s will” should not be just a “tag line” in our speech and prayers. Hudson Taylor the great missionary to China had definite convictions about how God’s work should be done: We can make our best plans and try to carry them out in our own strength… or We can make careful plans and ask God to bless them… or “Yet another way of working is to begin with God; to ask His plans, and offer ourselves to Him to carry out His purposes.”
Have you asked God?
“God, what is your will for my life?”
“God, what is your will for me this year?”
“God, what is your will for this week?”
“God, what do you want from my life as leave this gathering today?"
Discovering God’s will and submitting ourselves to His plan is not always that simple. James offers us seven suggestions (vv 7-10) that could help us: 1. Submit, 2. Resist, 3. Come near, 4. Wash, 5. Purify, 6. Grieve, 7. Mourn, 8. Wail, 9. Change, 10. Humble.
This passage has been very helpful for me in determining God’s will or Divine plan for me: Luke 5:1-11 (The miraculous catch)
1. Right place and right position: listening (vv 1-3).
2. A specific word or directive (v 4).
3. May appear unreasonable (v 5a).
4. Requires obedience – submission (v 5b).
5. Results in success – peace, contentment, joy (v 6).
6. Causes a generosity – cooperation (v 7).
7. Glorifies God – humility, acknowledgement (vv 8-10).
8. Changed direction – lifestyle (11)
Here's another practical suggestion for determining God's plan in your life: the witness of three in agreement (mature believers, Written Word, and inner Spirit) - Mt 18:20; 2Co 13:1
Do what is right (v 17). If you don’t submit to God’s will and plan after knowing what it is, you sin. Reflect on this: How does James relate to your plans for the future? How will you involve God in your plans in the future?
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