James 4:13-17
“Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.’ As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.”
Do you ever feel like you should stick your head under the covers and wait for Jesus to come? I sure hope you never feel that despondent. But let’s face it—there are times when it seems that— “if we didn’t have bad luck, we wouldn’t have any luck at all!”
I shared that with a dear friend from North Carolina. Charles had shared with me that he could not find his cell phone. I tried to suggest everywhere he might look to find it, but it had just vanished.
Last week he was mowing his grass when he heard the blades strike something. On the next pass he stopped and sure enough—there was a mangled cell phone. He had found it—so he thought. He checked his belt for the new cell phone he had purchased and—you know what’s coming don’t you? Sure enough—it was the new cell phone he was holding.
Charles has experienced many challenges in the past year—the most devastating of which was the loss of his wife . I have tried to be an encourager to him and at times I feel that he is the one who in ministering to me.
As I read the Scripture for today I am struck by the reality that none of us have any idea what the future holds for us. Pick up any newspaper in the world and you will see reports of people who experienced tragedy without warning.
What are the mangled remains of a cell phone in your hand? I hope you understand what I mean by that. When your world seems to be turned upside down, how do you respond? Do you fly into a rage? Sometimes people react with rage and cause harm to innocent people who just happen to be near them. Do you react that way?
Other people withdraw into themselves and deny that they need a special touch from the Master. They may turn to habits that cause even more conflict and pain. They say that they are coping, but the reality is that they are not dealing with the problem in a godly manner.
Our Scripture in James chapter four gives us the spiritual pattern to deal with even the most vile and distressing conflicts of life. Read what James says: “- – – you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.’ “
God’s saints across the ages have stood firm in the face of terrible oppression and turned the control over their life to the Lord. At times the Lord spared their lives but at other times He opened His arms and welcomed them into His eternal place of peace and rest.
But James adds great words of wisdom: “As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.” What does this mean? It means that we are to fix our eyes on Jesus, read His Word, take the time to spend with Him in prayer.
Paul gives us a Scripture of tremendous promise that we need to write down and memorize. More than that, we need to apply it continually in our life. Romans 8:28: “And we know that in ALL things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” May our constant prayer be: “Lord, Thy will be done!”
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today. Trust Him completely and be a blessing.
– – – Pastor Cecil
