Meditation

Hi there,

In the verses we copied last week, James established what humility looks like in our heart attitude and relationships—submitting to God, resisting the devil, and refusing to judge others.​

As we end the chapter, he now applies humility to our daily plans and future ambitions.​

In today's verses, he confronts another subtle form of pride: living as though we are in control of tomorrow. True humility isn't just about how we relate to God and one another; it reaches into how we view time and control.​

Saying "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit" (v. 13) isn't wrong because planning is wrong, but because it leaves God out of the equation. It assumes we possess independent control over time, life, and outcomes. James warns us against the form of practical atheism of planning our lives without reference to God’s will.​

David Guzik goes into these ideas in detail in his talk on the second half of James 4, which I've linked here and below.​

Today's verses are James 4:13-17.

Boasting About Tomorrow

¹³ Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” ¹⁴ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.​

¹⁵ Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” ¹⁶ As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil.​

¹⁷ If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.

Encouragement

To humans belong the plans of the heart,
but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.

² All a person’s ways seem pure to them,
but motives are weighed by the Lord.

³ Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
and he will establish your plans.

Proverbs 16:1-3

​

Andy

God's Word In Your Hand

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David Guzik's Enduring Word is a great resource for anyone wanting to work through the Bible verse by verse. This talk on today’s verses is very helpful as a complement to today’s copy work.

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