“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.’” – James 4:14-15
What are your plans for today?
Are you willing to change them?
A man was hiking through the woods one day. He had decided it was a great day to walk down to an old pond he had frequented in his younger years. As he was walking, he crossed paths with another person. She suggested taking a different path. She told him she had lived in the area for decades, hiking the woods several times a week, and that she knew of a beautiful waterfall he could see if he took the other path.
What would you do?
Would you decide to stay on your current path or try the new one?
What if, instead of directing you to a waterfall, she had warned that the pond had mostly dried up and several venomous snakes had taken up residence there?
Would you change course?
Making Plans We all make plans. We have things we want to accomplish and we make plans to be sure we accomplish them. In our passage for today, God has something to say about our planning.
Before we get to what God is saying, let’s clear up something He isn’t saying. Some people have used this passage to say we should never plan anything. We should just go with the spiritual flow if you will, and see what happens. That’s not what this telling us. First, notice that the conclusion is to say,
‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.“
That still implies planning. It’s just planning that looks to God both when we plan and as we carry out those plans to seek God’s will. There are plenty of Bible passages that speak to the wisdom of planning.
So, what is this passage saying? How do we plan?
Humble Yourself – Realize that as much as you think you know, you don’t know as much as God and you can’t see into the future. God can.
Pray When You Plan – Realizing that you don’t know everything, ask the one who does to guide you as you plan. Pray before you plan, while you plan, and after you plan.
Pray As You Put Your Plan Into Action – As you start to put your plans into action, stay in prayer. Ask God to bless your efforts and for wisdom to know if you need to change anything.
Be Willing To Change Course – Sometimes we don’t really listen to God as we plan well and God needs to correct us. However, it’s not necessarily that you didn’t listen. Sometimes God doesn’t reveal the whole plan all at once. Sometimes we need to be moved down the path we expect in order to find another path we didn’t know about, but to which God was leading us.
Thank And Praise God For Guiding You – Don’t forget God at the end of the plan. Pray again, thanking Him, and ask Him to continue to lead you.
Sometimes God leads up step by step.
I’ve had several times, where I thought I knew the full plan, but realized soon into the plan that God had guided me to the first part, but I had filled in the rest. So, after the first step or two, God sent something to change my path. Maybe it was a person I didn’t expect to meet that led to a conversation or some different way of doing something which I couldn’t have even conceived of earlier.
The point is, don’t be so committed to the plan, that you aren’t open to God’s leading while you enact the plan. He may have something amazing in store if you are willing to follow.
Heavenly Father,
Guide me as I plan my days. Then, open my eyes to see where You lead me as I walk. Help me to be flexible enough to take a detour when you lead me to it. Bless my efforts that I may follow Your will, You would be glorified, and others would be blessed through me.
“Stop trusting in man, who has but a breath in his nostrils. Of what account is he?” – Isaiah 2:22
Who is your knight in shining armor?
Imagine you were arrested. You are sitting in your cell wondering what you are going to do and who you need to call when a guard comes by and tells you there is a visitor to see you. You go to the room with glass partitions and phones and there is your best friend. Your friend says,
“I told you I would always have your back. So, I’m offering to represent you in court.”
You think to yourself,
“This person barely made it out of high school. They stumble over their words if they have to speak in front of people and other than watching some episodes of Law and Order, I don’t think they have any experience with the Law.”
How do you respond to your friend?
If you’re wise, you’ll thank your friend for offering, but let them know you are going to find a real lawyer.
Your friend may be a great person and have the best intentions, but they simply don’t have the knowledge and skills to help.
Who do you look to for your help?
Is it your spouse? Maybe it’s a friend. Perhaps it’s a political figure. The problem is the same as your kind friend who offered to be your lawyer. No matter how well-intentioned, skilled, connected, or powerful the person is, they are just a human being. They simply don’t have what is needed to consistently and ultimately do what we need.
Obviously, people can help you, but the question Isaiah 2 poses is who do you, ultimately, trust for your help.
Martin Luther would say that your answer is whoever your god is and that you should make sure your god is the One True God.
What is God? Answer: A god is that to which we look for all good and in which we find refuge in every time of need.
There is only one god who can truly give all good things and provide real refuge from all strife and enemies. That is the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Trust in the Triune God not only because He deserves it, but because He is the only one who can truly, ultimately, do what you need and He has proven it by defeating death and hell for you.
Heavenly Father,
You, alone, are my help and my salvation. I trust in You and only You for every good thing and refuge from every strife and enemy. Help me to continue to trust you and not to be enticed by the promises men.
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9
Have you ever asked God to remove a struggle or problem in your life?
What happened?
That’s exactly what Paul is writing about 2 Corinthians 12:9. He had a problem and he asked God to take it away.
“So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.” – 2 Corinthians 12:7-8
God’s answer, “My grace is sufficient for you,” may seem harsh to us. It may have felt like a gut-punch to Paul. Here he was pleading with God and God says no.
We Aren’t God What we have to realize, though, is that God knows more than us and is wiser than we are. We know that what we are dealing with is difficult and hurts. We think,
“Surely, taking away this thing that makes me feel so terrible must be good.”
What if it isn’t? What if taking that struggle away from you will result in much worse happening? What if it would result in you becoming more distant from God or even falling away?
My kids don’t like getting vaccination shots. They hurt and my children can’t “see” what would happen to them if they got one of the diseases the vaccines will help prevent. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard, “I don’t want to get a shot!” or “Please don’t make me go to the doctor!”
Yet, I do make them go and get the shots. It’s not because I don’t care or dislike them. Quite the contrary. It’s because I love my children. I love them enough to let them suffer when that suffering is for their good.
God is good and God loves you.
Much more than I love my children, God loves you. Much wiser than I may be to get my kids vaccinated, God’s wisdom works in your life, but it’s a hard truth to hear.
God loves you enough to allow you to suffer.
God doesn’t just not answer Paul or even give the simple answer, “No.” He tells Him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” This is important. He is showing Paul that He did, indeed, hear Paul’s prayer and He is answering. He also explains that what Paul is going through is ultimately for good.
Suffering to Joy God doesn’t always answer us with a “yes,” but He always hears our prayers and He always answers. The answer may be “yes,” “no,” or “wait,” but there is always an answer and that answer is always good and perfect. When we realize God is working for good even in our suffering, our suffering can bring joy.
We can say along with Paul,
“Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
Heavenly Father,
There are things in my life I would rather not have to endure right now. I ask You to remove them. However, I trust that You are good, You are wise, and You love me. So, I say, “Thank you,” no matter what Your answer. If Your answer is “no” or “wait,” give me the patience and strength to endure and help me to trust You that this is best, even the point of grateful and joyous for your work in my suffering.
“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.” – Proverbs 27:1
What are your plans for tomorrow?
“What will tomorrow bring?” has a much more serious meaning these days. With the way 2020 is going, that may be a scary question to ask. However, even in less turbulent times, the question can still generate fear…or maybe hope or excitement.
What do we really know about tomorrow, though?
Our passage from Proverbs warns us about boasting about tomorrow.
I remember a movie where a guy got a call that he was going to be hired by a company at twice his current salary. He strolled into his current job, told his boss he quit, said a few other less-than-kind words, and walked out the door. The next day, he called the person about the new job only to find out that person had been fired and the whole department was being shut down.
We don’t know what tomorrow will bring. A year ago, no one was talking about a pandemic, economic shutdown, or riots. Sure 2020 is unusual, but less world-encompassing events affect our lives every day.
Thanks, Pastor, I wasn’t scared about tomorrow before, but now I am!
Don’t worry.
No, I mean it. Don’t worry. You don’t need to be anxious. Proverbs warns us about boasting about tomorrow, but Jesus tells us not to worry about it either.
“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” – Matthew 6:31-33
We don’t need to worry about tomorrow because God knows what you need before you even realize there’s a problem. He can handle anything that comes our way.
So, where does this leave us?
This leaves us the same place we are in so many aspects of our life of faith. We aren’t arrogant or boastful because we know whatever good happens is from God. We also aren’t fearful, because we trust God. This is true of our righteousness before God. This is true of our finances. This is true of our job. This is true for all our tomorrows.
Heavenly Father,
You know what I need and will provide. Keep me from being arrogant or putting too much trust in my plans. I humbly admit I don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but I know You do and You promise to take care of me. Help me to trust You will all my tomorrows.
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” – Isaiah 26:3
Are you at peace? Do you want to be?
Most people want to be at peace. Just take a look at the books in a bookstore (if you can find one) and you’ll see a lot of books dedicated to finding peace or dedicated to the things people think will bring peace.
For all those books, it turns out you can answer the question of how to attain peace in one sentence.
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” – Isaiah 26:3
God Can Do All Things and So Can You God is almighty. He knows all and can do anything. He then strengthens His people by His Spirit to endure all things, good or bad. That’s why Paul writes,
“for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content…I can do all things through [Christ] who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:11b, 13
Worldly Peace vs Godly Peace The world seeks peace by removing stress and unpleasant things. If I’m not poor, I can have peace. If I don’t have to do things I don’t like at work, I can have peace. If I don’t have a spouse who is difficult to live with, I can have peace.
God’s peace is quite different. God gives (you don’t seek) peace even when things are stressful and unpleasant. Furthermore, when we trust in God, knowing He will carry us through, give us strength, and provide what we truly need, we can have peace regardless of how difficult.
Perfect Peace I can’t remember what movie it was, but I remember a scene at the end of a movie where a person had been captured by some bad guys, threatened, and held prisoner. At the end of the movie, the hero saved that person. As they were talking in the aftermath of the rescue, the hero asked if the person had been scared. They replied, “No. I knew you would come. I never doubted it.”
That’s what I think of when I read this verse. No matter what is going on or how bad the danger looks, we know that God is with us. We know that our hero will rescue us, even through death. We can trust in Him. He will never fail us. That is perfect peace.
Our peace isn’t dependent on our situation but on God who is faithful.
Heavenly Father,
You are faithful and true, a sure foundation in a storm, a hero in the darkest times. I trust You. Help me to trust in You always. Please give me Your peace.
“He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” – Romans 8:32
Do you ever feel like you just don’t have what you need to endure in your faith?
There are days when Darnell just doesn’t feel like he could go on. The struggles of life just aren’t getting better. He’s putting everything into it, but it’s not getting any better. He prays, but God doesn’t seem to answer. Even though it’s hard to squeeze it in, he still gets to church most weeks. Though, he’s not sure he feels anything when he’s there. Every now and then he even finds himself wondering, do I still believe?
Have you ever felt like giving up?
Satan loves to attack Christians and he does it in a variety of ways.
Temptation to sin – Why should I follow God’s Commands when I like this?
Sudden painful hardship – Why would God do this to me?
Prosperity – Why do I need God if I have everything I want?
Dead Religion – I’m doing what I’m supposed to do for God, why don’t I feel anything?
Prolonged hardship in life – Why doesn’t God listen and help?
…
God will give you the strength to endure.
When we are tempted:
“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” – 1 Corinthians 10:13
When we feel pain or grief:
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” – Psalm 147:3
In prosperity:
“The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. 16 You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing.” – Psalm 145:15-16
And I’m reminded of the parable of rich fool (Luke 12:16–21).
When we’re just going through the religious motions:
“For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” – Psalm 51:16-17
In prolonged hardship:
“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” – 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
When you start to feel like your losing your faith or you just can’t endure, ask God for help. He will give it. He will give you strength. He will revive your soul.
He gave you your faith, why wouldn’t He give you the strength to endure?
That’s what our passage in Romans 8 is all about. Not only does God give us faith and save us by His grace, but He graciously gives us all things we need for salvation, including the strength to endure to the end.
Heavenly Father,
Give me strength. There are times when I feel like giving up. There are times when I feel tempted away. There are times when I feel numb. In all these and at all times, be with me. Strengthen my faith that I may endure until that time You bring me to be with You and are joined with all the saints who have gone before me.
“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.’” – 1 Samuel 16:7
How do you judge people?
I know that’s a provocative question. Many may be thinking, “I don’t!” or “Pastor, we’re not supposed to judge people.”
That’s not really true, though. First, if we’re honest, we have to admit that all of us judge people. Secondly, the Bible actually tells us to judge people. When selecting an Elder (Pastor) the Bible gives us certain criteria such as that they should be trustworthy and faithful to their wife. The Bible warns us to watch out for false prophets and teachers and tells us not to associate with believers who are openly practicing immorality.
When the Bible warns us against judging in Matthew 7, it is speaking of judging people’s salvation or condemnation and considering ourselves better than others. This is one of the most misunderstood and misused passages of the Bible.
What to Judge On Judging isn’t the problem, the problem is what criteria we use to judge people. The problem is when we judge people based solely on their appearance instead of their character and their actions. Unfortunately, we do that all too often.
Sometimes that looks like racism or sexism.
Sometimes that looks like thinking the guy covered in tattoos is a criminal.
Sometimes that looks like treating the poor worse than the rich (or vice versa).
Sometimes it looks like voting for someone because they have nice hair and “trustworthy smile.”
We should not judge a person based solely on their appearance, but we can make judgments based on their character, the things they say and do, especially when no one is looking. Are they trustworthy? Are they wise? Are they caring? etc. This may guide us in what roles and responsibilities we trust the person with.
The passage from 1 Samuel is from when God was choosing the next king of Israel, David. He wasn’t the tallest (like King Saul before him) or the oldest. He was, however, a “man after God’s own heart.” He had the right character for the job. He sought God’s wisdom and trusted God. When he failed (and, man, did he fail!), he was repentant and confessed.
Let’s Look at Character As we deal with each other, let us not judge one another by the outward, but the inner and let us do so with grace and mercy. Let us look for the best in each other and encourage one another while using wisdom towards one another as well.
We don’t have a king, but we do happen to have a political election coming up. How might not trusting the outward appearance but looking at character affect our vote?
Heavenly Father,
Help me to be wise and kind in my judgments. Help me not to judge solely on appearance. Be, also, with our nation as we approach another election and give us wisdom as we place our vote.
“In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?” – Psalm 56:4
Where do we find the phrase, “In God we trust.”?
If you said U.S. money, you are correct. It’s actually a pretty amazing thing. Historically, it was the king or career who was praised on the money.
In fact, many national leaders over the course of history have claimed to be God (or a god). The Pharaohs of Egypt and many of the Caesars of Rome claimed to be gods and demanded the worship of their citizens.
In Rome, it was known as Caesar Worship and for the Caesars who practiced it, they required all people in the Roman empire to worship them under threat of death. Can you imagine being a Christian during this time? Many Christians were killed for refusing.
“86 years have I have served him, and he has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King and my Savior?”
According to a letter from Smyrna, these were the (translated) words of Polycarp, one of the church fathers who was a disciple of the Apostle John. In his 80s, he was arrested and brought into an arena. The Roman Proconsul actually seemed to want to save Polycarp’s life and pleaded with him to just swear by Caesar and be released. He refused.
The Proconsul then threatened to burn Polycarp at the stake. Polycarp responded,
“You threaten me with fire which burns for an hour, and is then extinguished, but you know nothing of the fire of the coming judgment and eternal punishment, reserved for the ungodly.”
According to this account, Polycarp understood what David wrote about centuries before in Psalm 56. It is in God we trust, for God is greater and God is faithful.
Yes, the tyrants of this world may hurt or imprison or even kill us, but they are not greater than the one who overcame death. They cannot threaten with something greater than eternal condemnation nor can their threats overrule the one who offers eternal life.
So, let us trust the Lord in all circumstances, good or bad. He is greater. He is faithful. We have nothing to fear.
Heavenly Father,
Hold me firmly in the faith. Help me to endure even in the face of threat and harm. May I trust in You no matter what.
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” – Jeremiah 17:7-8
Right now, we are dealing with a lot of changes and concerns from the coronavirus.
What is bothering you the most?
Many people are asking for our trust such as politicians, celebrities, doctors, and media personalities. Beyond that, there are thousands of websites with “information” on the pandemic.
Can we trust them?
Some, perhaps, but it’s harder and harder, today to find a news source that is trust worthy. Most are biased. Some don’t check sources well. Some just plain make up stories.
Regardless of whether you think you’ve found the one good news source out there, they will still have a problem as all do. All have two of the same failings:
They are flawed people and
They can’t see the future.
Thankfully, we have someone else to look to who doesn’t have those failings, God. He is wise, sinless, and all-knowing. He is also constant. That’s why putting our confidence in Him is like being planted by a stream. Our source of life and peace is always there. It will never run dry.
Whatever you are worried about, give it to the Lord. He will give you peace, you can trust Him.
Heavenly Father,
You are our ever-present help in times of need. Be with us during this difficult time and all the times of suffering. Help us to trust in You.