Boasting About Tomorrow

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.

This week's segment of scripture is short, but powerful.   Let's take a look...

Verse 13 starts by sharing a sense of urgency with the use of the words, "Now listen."   The message given in verse 13 assumes that the receivers of this message are making plans for the future with confidence that they have complete control of each day.  In doing so, they are ignoring the sovereignty of God. 

Verse 14 reminds us that we have no idea what will become of tomorrow or the next day.  We are here on Earth for such a short time in God's grand plan.  The Psalmist describes this season in Psalm 39:5, "5 You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you.  Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure.[a]"  Psalm 144:4 says that "4 They are like a breath; their days are like a fleeting shadow."  Like a "fleeting shadow", "a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes"... this quickly puts life into perspective.   The description reminds me of the dew that forms on top of leaves on trees and on top of blades of grass early in the morning.  It quickly evaporates as the sun rises. How do you view your life? Do you have a verse 13 perspective or a verse 15 perspective?

I feel like Verse 15 is the banner over my life and plans.  "If it is the Lord's will," then we will go here and do that...  Deo Volente is Latin for Lord Willing.  "Lord Willing, I will have another baby (No announcements here! :-) this is just an example) or live to travel the world with my husband".  I once read that if you would like to make God giggle, tell him your plans. :-)  He has a plan and it will be fulfilled with or without us.  We should make plans and fulfill our purpose here on Earth using the gifts that God gave us.  But, we execute those plans with the understanding that the days will come only as God is willing to give them and that our short time here should be focused on His Purpose and "do(ing) the good (we) ought to do" as stated in verse 17.

In verse 16, James warns about boasting about our plans and how that is sinful and flat out "evil."  To "boast" is defined as bragging or being prideful.  In this case, it is being prideful that you are in control.  Proverbs 27:1 puts it simply- "Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring."  We should take each day as it comes with humility and gratitude.  For we do not have the power to control how many days we receive and what each day will bring.  How dare we take credit for the Author's work?

Verse 17 is sobering; especially for believers that know what God calls us to do and do not execute that calling in our lives. Take a look at John 9:41 "41 Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains."  2 Peter 2:21 illustrates the message in James, verse 17 even further- "21 It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them."   How obedient are we to what God calls us to do?  Is there some good that you feel called to do?  Good that the Holy Spirit continues to remind you to do, that you continue to resist? 

Looking forward to studying James 5: 1-6, "Warning to Rich Oppressors" with you next week. Deo Valente! :-)


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