Walking in His Will

Scripture:
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.” NIV

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.” How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” NLT

Come now, you who say, “ Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, “ If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.” NASB

Observation:
People's New Testament
Presumptuous judgments have just been rebuked. Shall we presume on an uncertain future? The folly of laying plans as if we could command life is exposed.

ESV Study Bible
James does not condemn wise business planning, but rather planning that leaves out God. The people so depicted are practical atheists, living their lives and making their plans as if God did not exist. Such conduct is inconsistent with genuine saving faith, which submits to God. James exposes the presumptuous folly of the practical atheists—those who do not know what the future holds for them. God alone knows the future. He stresses the transitory nature of life. The true Christian submits his plans to the lordship of Christ.

Application:
Life Application Study Bible
It is good to make plans, but they will disappoint us if we leave God out of them. There is no point in making plans as though God does not exist, because the future is in his hands. Plan ahead, but ask for God's guidance. Seek God's will in your planning; he will never disappoint you.

Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, I do not want to be like the rich fool [Luke 4:13 - 21] who made plans without any thought of you. Help me to consider you in all my plans. I want to walk in your will not my own. I thank you that your Word helps me to do your will because it is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. In Jesus name, amen.