Planning in Providence

Such and Such a Town

V. 13 — We have a natural arrogance and pride, we think that we are in control. This was the heart of the first sin, Adam and Eve, in pride, tried to seize control from God, we have sought this ever since.

We believe life is in our hands and our control. So, we make plans as if we can control a single moment of life and time. James is addressing this in the form of those who have business to do. They make a plan to go to town and do business for a year, they make a plan, but they ignore God and live as if they are God.

This reminds me of the man, who had so much storage and so he built more to house all of his crops.

We as Christians are guilty of this as well, in fact, we are who James is addressing.

V. 14 — Why is this a problem, we don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow, life and time is not in our hand.

My life as an example. We have no control.

Our life is but a mere mist,

we see this taught throughout the Scriptures:

Psalm 39:5 “Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah”

Psalm 62:9 “Those of low estate are but a breath; those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath.”

Ecclesiastes 6:12 “For who knows what is good for man while he lives the few days of his vain life, which he passes like a shadow? For who can tell man what will be after him under the sun?”

Ecclesiastes 6:2 “a man to whom God gives wealth, possessions, and honor, so that he lacks nothing of all that he desires, yet God does not give him power to enjoy them, but a stranger enjoys them. This is vanity; it is a grievous evil.”

Even the gaining of wealth is worthless, God lets someone else enjoy the wealth you achieve. Nothing you do ultimately matters, everything is worthless outside of God, this is the teaching of Eccl. Everything is useless outside doing things for God. We control nothing and everything is in the hands of God.

V. 16 — When does life have worth: When we live for God and rest in His providence.

Matthew 6 — God provides

So do we just not do anything — NO, when simply do things with a heart change, so that God may be glorified.

If the Lord wills, we will do it. Surrender to God’s control and submit your life to Him. Seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added to you.

Without this, you boast in your arrogance, this boasting is evil, as if we are in control and not God, we put ourselves on God’s throne and refuse His control.

V. 17 — It is sin to know what the right thing is or believe something is the right thing and not do it. For those who know that God is truly in control and know that they are to recognize this and give glory to God and fail to do this, it is sin.

To do something against knowledge earns severer punishment than doing things in ignorance.