The Will of God for your Life

The Will of God for your life James 4: 13 – 17 10/3/ 2021

James starts the chapter with wars and now he ends with the will of God. Pr 11:29 He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.

Several people in the bible troubled themselves by not following the will of God. Jonah was told to go to Nineveh and preach, he said no and went in the opposite direction. Abraham disobeyed God and went down into Egypt where they meant Hagar the rest is history. Lot lifted up his eyes and lusted after Sodom and Gomorrah. Young children love going to church, worshipping God, learning the bible. Then they become teens. Or should I say they recognize that they can do things their way instead of God’s way. My friend you want to be right in the center of the will of God for your life. May I say you are never to old or to young to know the will of God for your life.

Start by reading your bible every day. Pray for the will of God every day to be done in your life every day. When you know what God wants you to do do it right away. Regardless of the consequences. Bob Jones use to say do right till the stars fall.

I. The future is clouded with human speculation

The phrase “go to now” means listen up. I want to teach you something. Class is in session. Apart from the will of God life is a mystery, amen. Why am I hear? What is the purpose of life? The bible answers these and important questions like these.

James is addressing a certain group in the church. Read Luke 12: 15. Dt 8:17 And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. 18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day. 19 And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish.

Our future is uncertain

It is not that we should not plan but rather our future is uncertain. Pr 27:1 Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

These business men were saying we will do this and we will continue in this city for a year, we will buy and sell and get gain. Nothing wrong will all of this if it is the Lord’s will. Never make plans before consulting the Lord… the fool makes plan without trusting the Lord. Pr 6:6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: 7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, 8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.

Our future is uncontrollable

You know the more you try and control it the more it seems out of control. Do you know why? Because the Lord wants you to give him control. Ps 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

The days of life are like an hourglass, they are slowly slipping away. James describes life like a vapor that is here then vanished away. The vapor shows the swiftness of our lives. It also shows the switch or change that has taken place in the life of the believer. Vapor is water that has changed in its form. Water yields to the downward pull of gravity while steam overcomes the pull of gravity. Water seeks the lowest level and steam rises to the highest level. Water flows toward the earthly oceans while vapor rises to the heavens. What causes the water to change to vapor? It is the sun! What changes and lifts a person to a heavenly home? The answer is the Son of Righteousness, the Lord Jesus Christ. Vapor also speaks of success. When vapor or steam is channeled properly, it can accomplish great things. Ships and trains have been powered by steam. When our lives are changed and channeled by the Lord, we can accomplish great things for the Lord Jesus Christ. When we float aimlessly through life without a purpose, our life is wasted and disappears like vapor.

II. The future is controlled by Divine Supervision verse 15

A concept to accept

Just when you think you have life figured out God sends us a curve ball. You know I love to play baseball. Have you ever watched a game of baseball? Have you ever seen a batter just swing at a curve ball? They anticipate that it will be in this zone, they swing and it almost looks like a child swinging at a pitch. A good pitcher can make a batter look bad, right. We the same is true in life. We do not have it all figured out. There is a divine God who is watching over it all and He has not lost control at all, amen. It may seem that He has but a assure you He has not lost control.

A control to acknowledge

In life we have two choices. The first is to live in a fantasy land where we pretend to know what will happen in life. Dial 800 psychic and get your reading. Or we can submit to God’s will submit to the one who knows not only tomorrow but the future because HE is in control of it.

Our lives should be governed by 4 precious, powerful words: “If the Lord wills…” Life is far more than everything working out the way I have it planned. Life is about things working our the way God has them planned and about my being surrendered to that plan and a part of that plan.)

A challenge to adapt

What do you mean but adapt? We must adapt or conform to the will of God. Because we do not know the trials, troubles of tomorrow we can submit ourselves to God because He knows best.

When Napoleon Bonaparte was about to invade Russia, someone tried to discourage him from doing so. When he realized he was not getting anywhere with Napoleon, he quoted this saying to him, "Man proposes and God disposes." Napoleon indignantly replied, "I dispose as well as propose." A Christian hearing this boast, remarked, "I marked that down as the turning point of Napoleon's fortunes." The Christian was on target because Russia was the beginning of his fall. For a man to boast of a future that he has no knowledge of, this boasting is sin. It is foolish to have the attitude that says, "I'm in control; I'll be rich; I don't need God; My way is best." God can dispose what we propose. Our boasting and pride can ruin us and make us ineffective for Christ. It robs us of the ability to be a blessing to other people. Peter boasted that he would never deny the Lord, but fell flat on his face.

III. The future is to be committed in faithful satisfaction verse 16 – 17

Live for God now

(⇒ All sin can be grouped into one of two categories. There are sins of commission. These are committed when we choose to willfully do what we know is wrong. The other kind of sin are those of omission. These are committed when we refuse to do what we know is right. In God's eyes, one group is as evil as the other! When we refuse to work for the Lord, planning instead to do our work in the future when things are easier, or when we have more time, or when we have more money, or whatever, we are living in sin! We must never presume on the future. The day to do something for the Lord is today! Tomorrow may turn out to be the dream it already is for you. It may never come. Today is all you have. Someone said, “Yesterday is a canceled check, gone forever. Tomorrow is a promissary note, it might never be redeemed. Today is cash in hand, spend it wisely!” The fact is, today is the only day we have to serve the Lord! Are we using our time wisely for His glory? (

Leave the future to God