TRUST GOD'S PLAN FOR YOU

Today is precious

Vietnamese collector Pham has salvaged twenty church clocks from around Europe, many of which had been replaced with electronic versions. One clock, made in Italy, dates back to 1750 and, remarkably, still keeps time accurately. Pham enjoys restoring and preserving the timepieces, saying they remind him of how precious time is and to savor each moment. 

In James 4, the writer encouraged his readers to recognize the preciousness of time by reminding them that their lives are like “a mist that appears for a little while” before vanishing (James 4:14). James warned against making plans to “go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money” (v. 13) without consulting God. Instead of presuming on God for the timing and success of their ventures, he reminded them that they “do not even know what will happen tomorrow” (v. 14). Designing our own successes is actually boastful and arrogant if it leaves God out of the picture. 

When we recognize the brevity of our lives, we’re able to hold our plans for the future more loosely and better embrace the present moment. We live and work according to God’s design and purpose, which means we can humbly entrust our future to Him and savor each day as the gift from Him it truly is—no matter what it may hold. 

James has a strong warning. “Now listen,” he says (James 4:13), before cautioning us against trusting in the reliability of our plans. It’s not wrong to make plans; in fact, it’s foolish not to do so. But it’s arrogant to make those plans without consulting the wisdom of the Bible and looking to our heavenly Father to instruct us by His Spirit. No one “plans” to have trials, nor do we want them, but some of God’s greatest gifts are surprises that grow out of immense difficulties. In the opening lines of this letter, James says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance” (1:2-3). As we entrust our lives and future to God, we can hold our plans loosely. And even in the midst of trials, we can treasure each day as a gift. 

Reflect & Pray

When have you left God out of your plans? How can you embrace today for the gift it is? 

-Thank You, God, for the gift of today. I trust my future to You. 

**COURTESY OF: Our Daily Bread Ministries** To see MORE like this go to https://www.odbm.org/en

Psalms 25:12  Who is the man who fears the Lord? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose. 

 The Lord teaches those who reverence Him what His plan is for their lives. Faithful believers do not have to wonder what kind of life the Lord has carved out for them. The Bible contains plenty of instructions, warnings, and principles that are intended to steer us in the right direction (2 Timothy 3:16–17). We also have the guidance of the Holy Spirit (John 16:7–11).

Obeying God's Word is essential to a productive, effective life. When the Lord appointed Joshua to lead the people of Israel into the Promised Land, He told Joshua to meditate on the Book of the Law day and night and to be careful to obey it (Joshua 1:8). He promised that good success would result from Joshua's obedience to the Law. It is also important to commit one's body as a living sacrifice to God and to be transformed by the renewing of the mind (Romans 12:1–2). The reason for such a sacrifice of body and mind is stated in verse 2: "that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." 

  James 4:6 assures us that "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." James 4:10 promises, "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you." Humility is not always held in high esteem in modern culture, but it is a virtue God honors and should characterize all who want to obtain a better knowledge of God and His way. 

Psalm 139:1-3

Search Me, O God, and Know My Heart

139 O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
 you discern my thoughts from afar.
3 You search out my path and my lying down
 and are acquainted with all my ways.

Isaiah 40:31

31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
 they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
 they shall walk and not faint.

Jeremiah 29:11

11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Romans 8:28

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Ecclesiastes 3:11

11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.

Mark 11:24

24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Proverbs 3:5-6

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
 and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
 and he will make straight your paths.