Daily Devotional For Wednesday

Good day Southside. It is Wednesday and let's take some time to reflect on the Lord and our relationship to Him. I know that you know that our time here on this earth is limited. Compared to the Old Testament saints in Genesis, we no longer live for hundreds of years. We are blessed if we live even 60, 70, 80 and very blessed if we make it to 100. The Bible puts it this way in James 4:14, “But you don’t have a clue what tomorrow may bring. For your fleeting life is but a warm breath of air that is visible in the cold only for a moment and then vanishes!” (TPT). We are like the early morning dew that is visible briefly until the hot sun evaporates it. 

We can make the best plans for tomorrow or this week, but the truth is, we have no clue whether we will do them or not. That is the point of Proverbs 27:1, “Don’t brag about tomorrow, since you don’t know what the day will bring” (NLT). We see Jesus emphasize this in Luke 12:16-21:

“Then He told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. (17) He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ (18) Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. (19) And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’ (20) “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’ (21) “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God” (NLT).

Now please do not misunderstand James. He is NOT against making plans due to some possible future disaster, but to be realistic about the future and trust God with it. Because the future is so uncertain, it is important that we depend on God with it. This is why we must set up self-reminders such as praying something like, “God, I know the future is uncertain and often troubling, but I also know You are certain to be there with me navigating me through it.” We do not want to be judged by God for having the same attitude as the rich man in the parable in Luke 12:16-21.

James 4:14 comes in the context of James 4:13, “Look here, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit’” (NLT). Planning is not wrong or evil or sinful. We should make plans to eliminate future pain and loss. In James 4:13, James is not condemning “the profit” we or people want to make. He is condemning us and others making plans to make a profit without asking God. We hear terms such as self-assertiveness and self-confidence and think these are naturally wrong. This is not necessarily wrong if they keep God in the equation and plans. New Testament scholar, Bruce B. Barton, writes this below about James 4:13.

“Many people say they believe in God, but, in reality, they are practical atheists. That is, in the way they make decisions and plan for the future, they live as if God didn’t exist. They take no account of God’s sustaining care or common grace; they act as if they are self-sufficient and in control; and they take credit for all the good they experience. Listening to these people speak, we would have no idea that God is a factor in their lives. How much better it is to actively recognize God’s right to order and direct our lives as He pleases. Self-reliance and independence rightfully belong to God alone. He goes on to show how we leave God out of our plans, especially when money is involved:

• When we see work and careers as ways we can make money in order to buy what we want.
• When we define money as a symbol of independence.
• When we imagine ourselves in control of major areas of life under the rationalization that God is not interested in such mundane matters.
• When we make practical decisions about education, job changes, moving, investments, and spending—all without prayer” (Source: Bruce B. Barton, Life Application Bible Commentary, “James,” p. 112).

This means we have to remind ourselves that God has a prior claim on our lives because first as our Creator, He created us. Second, when we give our life to Christ, we no longer are the boss over our lives, God is. We read this in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, (20) for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body” (NLT). Goals are good as long as you do not leave God out of them and know for certain that God agrees with your goals. It does not make sense to me to make plans and leave God out of them since the future is in His hands. 

Assignment: Reflect for a moment. When it comes to your plans, goals, and dreams, do you seek God’s guidance on them or do you just move forward with them? When it comes to major purchases, do you seek God’s guidance? Do you live like a lost person, or an atheistic person doing their own thing, as Dr. Bruce B. Barton said above? Since your relatively short time on this earth is a reality, what will you do from now on to include God in your plans? 

Scripture To Meditate On: Proverbs 19:21, “People may plan all kinds of things, but the Lord's will is going to be done” (GNT).

Prayer To Pray: “Dear Lord, I do not want to live as a practical atheist. I am so sorry when I just make plans and leave You out of them or just make plans and ask You to bless them. You bought me with a high price and I admit I am not my own, but yours. I want You and need You in every area of my life. Lord, please fulfill Psalm 90:12 in my life: “Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom” (NLT). I love You Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”

I love you Southside! – Pastor Kelly