Living with Humble Dependence on God's Will

Sep 14, 2025

Devotional

Day 1: Humble Planning: Acknowledging God in All Our Plans

True wisdom is not found in meticulous planning alone, but in planning with God at the center of every decision. Many people, even believers, fall into the trap of practical atheism—living as if God does not exist, even while professing faith. This attitude is marked by self-reliance, pride, and a failure to seek God's guidance, which the Bible calls arrogance. Instead, we are called to submit our plans to God, recognizing that our abilities and resources are limited, and that only God knows and controls the future. Let every plan, big or small, begin with a humble heart that seeks God's will above our own. [07:24]

James 4:13-17 (ESV)
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. 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.” As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

Reflection: What is one plan you are making right now that you have not truly submitted to God? How can you invite Him into that process today?

Day 2: Life’s Brevity: Living with Eternity in View

Life is fragile and fleeting, like a morning mist that vanishes with the rising sun. We often live as if tomorrow is guaranteed, but Scripture reminds us that our days are numbered and not under our control. This reality is not meant to paralyze us with fear, but to humble us and free us from the illusion of control, redirecting our focus from temporary pursuits to what truly lasts—faith, love, and obedience to God. Let the brevity of life move you to live intentionally, making each day count for eternity. [30:25]

Psalm 90:12 (ESV)
So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.

Reflection: If today were your last, what would you want to be remembered for? What is one step you can take today to live with eternity in mind?

Day 3: Trusting God’s Sovereignty Over Tomorrow

We do not know what tomorrow will bring, but God does. Our ignorance of the future should lead us to trust in God’s omniscience and sovereignty, rather than boasting in our own plans or abilities. Only God holds time, circumstances, and outcomes in His hands. When we remember that our times are in God’s hands, we are freed from anxiety and pride, and can rest in His steadfast love and faithfulness, no matter what uncertainties we face. [21:04]

Psalm 31:15-16 (ESV)
My times are in your hand;
rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors!
Make your face shine on your servant;
save me in your steadfast love!

Reflection: In what area of your life are you struggling to trust God with the future? What would it look like to surrender that area to His control today?

Day 4: The Mark of a True Believer: Desire to Do God’s Will

A genuine Christian is marked by a deep desire and passion to do the will of God. This desire is not about perfect obedience, but about a heart that longs to know and follow God’s will, seeking His guidance daily and being open to His redirection. God delights in those who ask, “Lord, what do you want me to do?” and He promises to guide those who are willing. Let your prayer each morning be, “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God,” and trust that God will plant His desires in your heart as you delight in Him. [50:59]

Psalm 143:10 (ESV)
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God!
Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!

Reflection: When was the last time you sincerely asked God to show you His will? What is one way you can make seeking His will a daily habit?

Day 5: Obedience and Readiness: Living Prepared for Eternity

Knowing God’s will comes with the responsibility to obey it. Life is uncertain, and none of us are promised tomorrow; therefore, we must live each day ready to meet God, having peace with Him through faith in Jesus Christ. Obedience is not just about avoiding sin, but about actively doing what we know is right. Ignoring God’s will brings serious accountability, but living in humble surrender brings peace and purpose. Let us not delay in doing what God has called us to do, but live each day prepared to stand before Him. [01:07:50]

Hebrews 9:27 (ESV)
And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,

Reflection: Is there a step of obedience you have been putting off, even though you know it is God’s will? What is stopping you from taking that step today?

Sermon Summary

Life is fragile, fleeting, and ultimately not under our control. Each day is a gift from God, and none of us are guaranteed tomorrow. The temptation to plan our lives with pride, as if we are the masters of our fate, is a form of practical atheism—living as if God does not exist, even while professing faith. True wisdom is not found in meticulous planning alone, but in planning with God at the center, humbly acknowledging His sovereignty over every moment, every opportunity, and every outcome.

James 4:13-17 warns against the arrogance of presuming upon the future. It is not wrong to plan, to work, or to seek success, but it is foolish to do so without seeking God’s will. Our lives are like a mist—visible for a brief time, then gone. This reality should not paralyze us with fear, but free us from the illusion of control and drive us to humble dependence on God. The brevity of life is not meant to make us despair, but to awaken us to what truly matters: faith, love, and obedience to God.

The stories of those who have recently passed—whether well-known or unknown—remind us that what endures is not our achievements, wealth, or status, but our courage and faith in Christ. The question is not just how long we live, but what is the essence of our lives. Are we living for ourselves, or are we living for the will of God? The only way to be prepared for the uncertainty of tomorrow and the certainty of eternity is to have a relationship with Jesus Christ, trusting Him as Savior and Lord.

God calls us to live each day with the posture, “If the Lord wills.” This is not a fatalistic resignation, but a joyful submission to His good and perfect will. It means seeking His guidance, being open to His redirection, and depending on His Word and Spirit. Knowing God’s will is not a mystery for the select few; it is revealed in Scripture: to be saved, Spirit-filled, sanctified, submissive, willing to suffer for Christ, and thankful in all things. When we align our lives with these, God will guide us in every other decision.

Ultimately, the mark of a true believer is a heart that longs to do the will of God. Obedience may be imperfect, but the desire to obey is evidence of the Spirit’s work within. Life is short, but it is significant when lived in humble surrender to God’s purposes. Let us number our days, seek His will, and live so that we may be remembered not for our accomplishments, but for our faith and courage in Christ.

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Key Takeaways

1. The Folly of Planning Without God Planning is not inherently wrong, but when we make plans without acknowledging God’s sovereignty, we fall into the trap of practical atheism. This is living as if God does not exist, even while professing faith. True wisdom is found in placing God at the center of every plan, seeking His guidance, and remaining open to His redirection, for only He knows what tomorrow holds. [07:24]
2. Life’s Brevity and Eternal Perspective Our lives are like a mist—brief, fragile, and fleeting. This reality should humble us, stripping away pride and exposing our limitations. Rather than chasing temporary achievements, we are called to invest in what lasts: faith, love, and obedience to God, finding our meaning and security in Him alone. [30:25]
3. The Heart of a True Believer: Desire for God’s Will The defining mark of a genuine Christian is a deep desire to do the will of God. This desire is not about perfect obedience, but about a heart that longs to please God and is grieved by failure. If there is no longing to follow God’s will, it is a sign of a heart still in rebellion and far from Him. [45:14]
4. Knowing and Doing God’s Will God’s will is not a hidden mystery; it is revealed in Scripture. We are called to be saved, Spirit-filled, sanctified, submissive, willing to suffer for Christ, and thankful in all things. Knowing God’s will brings responsibility—once we know what is right, failing to do it is sin, and we are accountable for our response. [58:30]
5. Living Each Day in Humble Surrender Since none of us are guaranteed tomorrow, the wise response is to live each day in humble surrender to God’s purposes. This means holding our plans loosely, submitting them to God with the attitude, “If the Lord wills,” and trusting that His timing and ways are always perfect. Such a posture frees us from anxiety, grounds us in hope, and prepares us to meet God with peace, whenever that day comes. [49:02]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Opening Prayer and Reflection on Life’s Brevity
[02:53] - Remembering Charlie Kirk: Faith and Courage
[05:03] - The Arrogance of Planning Without God
[07:24] - Practical Atheism: Ignoring God in Our Plans
[10:33] - The Uncertainty of Tomorrow
[13:00] - The Parable of the Rich Fool
[16:11] - Friendship with the World and Spiritual Adultery
[17:17] - What Godly Planning Looks Like
[20:09] - Our Ignorance, God’s Omniscience
[24:31] - 9/11: A Sobering Reminder of Life’s Fragility
[26:05] - What Is the Essence of Your Life?
[30:25] - Life Is a Mist: The Call to Number Our Days
[34:42] - Are You Prepared for Eternity?
[40:19] - Personal Testimony: Cancer and Trusting God
[43:06] - Submitting to God’s Will in All Things
[49:02] - The Attitude: “If the Lord Wills”
[54:08] - God’s Word: The Blueprint for Life
[58:30] - Six Clear Aspects of God’s Will
[61:46] - Aligning with God’s Will in Everyday Decisions
[63:41] - The Sin of Omission: Failing to Do What Is Right
[67:06] - The Urgency of Being Ready
[71:47] - Closing Prayer and Call to Surrender

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: “If the Lord Wills”

Bible Reading

James 4:13-17 (ESV)
> 13 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”— 14 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. 15 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. 17 So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

Observation Questions

According to James 4:13-14, what attitude do some people have when making plans for the future? What does James say is missing from this approach?
In verse 14, James compares our lives to a “mist.” What does this image communicate about the nature of life?
What does James say is the right attitude to have when making plans, according to verse 15?
The sermon described “practical atheism” as living as if God does not exist, even while professing faith. What are some examples of this from the message? [[07:24]]

Interpretation Questions

Why does James warn against boasting about tomorrow? What does this reveal about our understanding of control and God’s sovereignty? [[11:22]]
The sermon said that planning is not wrong, but planning without God is “madness.” Why is it so easy to leave God out of our plans, even as believers? [[08:13]]
The phrase “If the Lord wills” is not meant to be fatalistic. What does it look like to joyfully submit our plans to God’s will in everyday life? [[49:02]]
According to the sermon, what is the mark of a true believer when it comes to God’s will? How does this relate to our desires and obedience? [[45:14]]

Application Questions

The message challenged us to consider: “What is the essence of your life? What will you be remembered by?” If your life ended today, what would people say was most important to you? Is that what you want to be remembered for? [[26:05]]
Think about your current plans—big or small. In what ways have you included (or not included) God in your planning? What would it look like to seek His will first? [[17:17]]
The sermon described life as a “mist”—brief and fragile. How does remembering the brevity of life change the way you approach your priorities, relationships, or daily routines? [[30:25]]
The pastor shared about his own experience with cancer and how it led him to deeper dependence on God. Is there a challenge or hardship in your life that God might be using to draw you closer to Him? How can you respond in faith? [[41:14]]
The message listed six clear aspects of God’s will: to be saved, Spirit-filled, sanctified, submissive, willing to suffer for Christ, and thankful in all things. Which of these do you find most challenging right now? What is one step you can take this week to grow in that area? [[58:30]]
James 4:17 says that knowing the right thing to do and not doing it is sin. Is there something you know God is calling you to do, but you’ve been putting it off? What is holding you back, and how can you take a step of obedience? [[01:03:41]]
The sermon encouraged us to live each day with the posture, “If the Lord wills.” What practical habit or prayer could help you remember to submit your plans to God each day? [[49:02]]

Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God to help you number your days, seek His will above your own, and live each day in humble surrender, trusting that His ways are always good.

Sermon Clips

74s

#PlanningWithPurpose

“There is nothing wrong to say, we'll go here. There's nothing wrong, we'll do this. There's nothing wrong, we'll earn money. There's nothing wrong, we'll achieve success. Nothing wrong at all. Planning in itself is neither immoral or unethical. Any wise person or business person ought to really plan carefully. The book of Proverbs talks about ants and how they plan for their winter. But the problem is not what is said. The problem is what was left out. When you look at verse 13, there is no thought of God. There's no acknowledgement of His being. There's no acknowledgement of His will. This is what we call in Christianity practical atheism. Living as if God doesn't exist even if you claim to believe in Him.”

21s

#WisdomInGodCenteredPlans

“To ignore God in your plans and to live without seeking His guidance is not just foolishness. It's absolute madness. True wisdom is not in meticulous planning alone, but in planning with God at the center of it all.”

32s

#UncertaintyOfTomorrow

“How do you know you'll have time? Does anybody here know if you will have time? How many of you here know that you have the actual health to continue? How many of you know that this is actually of an actual opportunity to do it? How do you know you will have success? The answer to all of this is that you don't know. How do you know you'll even see tomorrow?”

40s

#TrustInGodsSovereignty

“What a reminder for us that no matter how much we plan, we are blind to tomorrow. We do not know what the next day will bring, whether success, suffering, or even the length of our lives. Our ignorance should point us to really the omniscience of God, that he's the only one who's all -knowing. It should lead us to his sovereignty, because he's the only one who has control. What we don't know, God does know.”

15s

#FragilityOfLife

“Life is fragile and plans are uncertain. We're not in control of the next minute, let alone on the next day. That is why boasting in tomorrow is foolish.”

16s

#HopeInEternalGod

“Life being in God's hands grounds us in humility, frees us from anxiety, redirects us from chasing temporary things, and secures our hope in the eternal God who holds our days, our future, and our eternity.”

27s

#FreedomInHisTiming

“No matter what we plan, what we pray for, what we aim to accomplish, our heart must remain flexible, saying in our heart, if the Lord wills. And what's wrong with many Christians today is they are inflexible. When they make a plan, that is the plan, and it has to go by its plan. Even God, you can't change my plans. And you know what God will tell you? I can do whatever I want.”

18s

#DesiresAlignedWithGod

“A true believer is marked by one unmistakable sign. It's the desire and passion to do the will of God. 1 Peter 4 .2 reminds us that we no longer live for the fleeting desires of the world.but for the will of God. 1 John 2 .17 says that those who do God's will abide forever.”

26s

“``So that in this reality, Christ steps in, who perfectly submitted to God's will, died for our sins, and rose to give us eternal life. And the only response that we have is to turn from our arrogance and our self -reliance and to humbly surrender our plans and our lives to him, trusting that his will is good and his timing is always perfect.”

Ask a question about this sermon

Watermark Fellowship Church This sermon · AI assistant

1. How does the sermon define the brevity of life?

2. What are the key elements of living in God's will?

3. Why is boasting about tomorrow considered spiritual arrogance?