Aligning Our Plans with God's Uncertain Will

 

Summary

In the letter of James, we are reminded of the uncertainty of life and the importance of aligning our plans with God's will. Many of us make plans for the future, whether it's pursuing a career, starting a family, or embarking on a new venture. While planning is beneficial, we must remember that our lives are like a vapor, fleeting and unpredictable. Our plans depend on God's grace and strength, and we must acknowledge our dependence on Him. The wise person recognizes that life is fragile and uncertain, and instead of setting their hopes solely on their plans, they say, "If it be God's will, we will do this or that."

Our journey through life is short and unpredictable, despite advances in medicine that suggest we might live longer. We walk by faith, not by sight, trusting that God leads us on a path where we cannot foresee what lies around the corner. It could be a trial or a joy, but we do not know. However, in Jesus Christ, we have the assurance of our ultimate destiny. While we may not know what tomorrow holds, we know the final outcome of our lives is secure in Him. This certainty in Christ allows us to place our hope not on temporary plans but on the eternal destiny that has been revealed and purchased through Jesus.

Key Takeaways:

- Life is unpredictable, and while planning is wise, we must remember that our lives are like a vapor, fleeting and dependent on God's grace. Our plans should always be aligned with His will, acknowledging our fragility and dependence on Him. [01:17]

- The wise person understands that life is uncertain and chooses to say, "If it be God's will," recognizing that our plans are subject to God's sovereignty and grace. This perspective keeps us humble and reliant on Him. [01:37]

- Despite advances in medicine and the assumption of longer life spans, our time on earth remains uncertain. We must walk by faith, trusting God to lead us through the unknowns of life, whether they bring trials or joys. [02:11]

- We do not know what tomorrow holds, but in Jesus Christ, we have the assurance of our ultimate destiny. This certainty allows us to place our hope not on temporary plans but on the eternal security found in Him. [02:44]

- Our hope should not be set on intermediate plans but on the ultimate destiny that is secure in Christ. This perspective shifts our focus from the temporary to the eternal, providing peace and assurance in the midst of life's uncertainties. [03:00]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:12] - The Uncertainty of Tomorrow
[00:28] - Making Plans and God's Will
[00:45] - Life's Fragility
[01:17] - Dependence on God's Grace
[01:37] - Walking by Faith
[01:55] - The Unpredictable Journey
[02:11] - Trusting God's Path
[02:24] - The Assurance in Christ
[02:44] - Our Ultimate Destiny
[03:00] - Hope Beyond Plans
[03:12] - Conclusion

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- James 4:13-15

#### Observation Questions
1. What does James say about the nature of life and our plans in James 4:13-15?
2. How does the sermon describe the way people typically make plans for the future? [00:12]
3. According to the sermon, what is the wise person's approach to making plans? [01:37]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the certainty of our life span despite medical advances? [02:11]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does James emphasize saying, "If it be God's will," when making plans? How does this reflect our dependence on God? [01:37]
2. How does the sermon explain the concept of life being like a vapor? What implications does this have for how we live our lives? [01:17]
3. In what ways does the assurance of our ultimate destiny in Christ provide comfort amidst life's uncertainties? [02:44]
4. How does walking by faith, rather than by sight, influence our perspective on future plans and trials? [02:24]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent plan you made. Did you consider God's will in that plan? How might you approach future planning differently? [01:37]
2. Think about a time when your plans did not go as expected. How did you respond, and what did you learn about your dependence on God? [01:17]
3. How can you remind yourself daily of the fragility and unpredictability of life, and how might this change your priorities? [02:11]
4. In what ways can you cultivate a mindset of walking by faith in your daily life, especially when facing uncertainty? [02:24]
5. How does the assurance of your ultimate destiny in Christ influence your current worries or anxieties? [02:44]
6. Identify one area of your life where you tend to rely on your own strength rather than God's grace. What steps can you take to shift that reliance? [01:17]
7. How can you encourage others in your community to align their plans with God's will, and what role can you play in supporting them? [01:37]

Devotional

Day 1: Life's Fleeting Nature and God's Grace
Life is unpredictable and fleeting, much like a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes. While planning for the future is wise, it is crucial to remember that our plans are ultimately dependent on God's grace and strength. Acknowledging our fragility and dependence on Him helps us align our plans with His will. This perspective encourages humility and reliance on God, recognizing that our lives are not entirely in our control. [01:17]

James 4:14-15 (ESV): "Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.'"

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to acknowledge your dependence on God's grace today? How can you practically align your plans with His will?


Day 2: Humility in Planning
The wise person understands the uncertainty of life and chooses to say, "If it be God's will," when making plans. This mindset acknowledges that our plans are subject to God's sovereignty and grace. By adopting this perspective, we remain humble and reliant on God, recognizing that He is ultimately in control. This humility in planning allows us to trust in God's perfect timing and purpose for our lives. [01:37]

Proverbs 16:9 (ESV): "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps."

Reflection: Think of a plan you have for the future. How can you incorporate the phrase "If it be God's will" into your mindset and actions regarding this plan?


Day 3: Walking by Faith Through Life's Uncertainties
Despite advances in medicine and the assumption of longer life spans, our time on earth remains uncertain. We are called to walk by faith, trusting God to lead us through the unknowns of life, whether they bring trials or joys. This journey requires us to rely on God's guidance and wisdom, knowing that He is with us every step of the way. By walking by faith, we can face life's uncertainties with confidence and peace. [02:11]

2 Corinthians 5:7 (ESV): "For we walk by faith, not by sight."

Reflection: What is one unknown or uncertain area in your life right now? How can you actively choose to walk by faith and trust God in this situation today?


Day 4: Assurance in Christ
While we do not know what tomorrow holds, we have the assurance of our ultimate destiny in Jesus Christ. This certainty allows us to place our hope not on temporary plans but on the eternal security found in Him. By focusing on our eternal destiny, we can find peace and assurance in the midst of life's uncertainties, knowing that our future is secure in Christ. [02:44]

1 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you."

Reflection: How does the assurance of your eternal destiny in Christ impact your perspective on your current circumstances? What steps can you take to focus more on this eternal hope today?


Day 5: Shifting Focus from Temporary to Eternal
Our hope should not be set on intermediate plans but on the ultimate destiny that is secure in Christ. This perspective shifts our focus from the temporary to the eternal, providing peace and assurance in the midst of life's uncertainties. By prioritizing our eternal destiny, we can navigate life's challenges with a sense of purpose and hope, knowing that our future is secure in Christ. [03:00]

Colossians 3:2-3 (ESV): "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."

Reflection: What is one temporary concern that has been occupying your thoughts? How can you shift your focus to the eternal perspective and find peace in Christ today?

Quotes

"Listen to what God says in the letter of James: come now you who say today or tomorrow we will go into such-and-such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit, yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. You see, here are people who are saying what you know we tend to say every day." [00:00:03]

"It's good to have plans, it's good to have plans, but almost remember this: you don't even know when you plan for the future whether you will be here tomorrow. Not one of us knows that. What is your life, he says? Your life's like a vapor, it's like a mist, it's like steam that just blows away." [00:00:54]

"Whatever you hope to do in your life depends upon God's grace, and it depends upon God's strength. Therefore, the wise person, rather than setting all their hopes on 'this is what we want to do,' says, 'Well, if it be God's will, we will do this or we will do that,' because we acknowledge and we know that whatever our plans are, we're dependent." [00:01:33]

"The wise person knows that our very short journey through this life, in which we assume increasingly with the rapid advance in medicine that we'll have a certain number of years and the estimate gets longer and longer, but actually the time that we have is very, very uncertain indeed." [00:01:17]

"The God leads us on a winding path in which we never know, none of us knows what is around the next corner in our lives. It may be a great trial, it may be a great joy, none of us knows. We want by faith, we do not walk by sight." [00:02:18]

"I don't know for sure what will happen tomorrow, let alone next week, let alone next month, let alone next year, or let alone in 10 years' time, and neither do you. We do not know what will happen tomorrow, but you know in Jesus Christ we do know what the final outcome of our lives will be." [00:02:36]

"Isn't that marvelous? I don't know the short time, we do know the long term, and that's where our hope is. That's why our hope cannot be set on intermediate plans, has to be set on the ultimate destiny that is absolutely secure because it has been revealed and it has been purchased in Jesus Christ." [00:02:57]

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Transcript
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