JAMES 4:13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” 14 Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.” 16 But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil.

This verse confronts a mindset that was common among part of James’s audience—people engaged in business and commerce. James is not condemning planning or work; he is confronting presumptuousness. These believers were making confident declarations about the future—where they would go, how long they would stay, what they would do, and the profit they would gain—while leaving God entirely out of their plans.

James exposes the deeper issue: they were living as though they were in control. He reminds them that life is fragile and brief—“a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.” The future is not guaranteed, and tomorrow is not promised.

Sadly, this same danger confronts many of us today. We make declarations, plans, provisions, forecasts, and dreams, yet God is often absent from the center of them. We plan as if our time were unlimited and our control absolute. But Scripture reminds us that God alone is sovereign. His will is always wiser, always better, and always perfect.

Our lives are far too short to be spent planning, executing, and pursuing things without God at the center. We will not live one heartbeat longer than what has already been ordained by Him. We do not know how long or how short our lives will be. Therefore, humility is not optional—it is essential.

At the end of the day, the posture of the believer must be this: “Lord, lead me. Shepherd my thoughts. Go before me in my plans. Show me the way You want me to go.”

Discerning God’s will involves prayer, submission to the principles of His Word, seeking godly counsel, and respecting the earthly authorities He has placed over us. True wisdom acknowledges dependence on God in every area of life.

As one writer aptly said: “Ungodliness is living one’s everyday life with little or no thought of God, or of God’s will, or of God’s glory, or of one’s dependence on God.”

May we learn to live not in self-confidence, but in daily, humble dependence on God, always saying from the heart: “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.”

JAMES 1:5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

God does not shame us for needing guidance. He does not say, “You should have known better.” Rather, He delights in giving wisdom to those who humbly acknowledge their need. This wisdom is practical, timely, and rooted in His character and purposes. What God asks of us is simple: ask in faith and dependence. When we come to Him with open hearts, willing to listen and obey, He promises to give what we need to walk rightly—whether in decisions, trials, relationships, or daily life. We truly need wisdom, and the good news is this: God is ready and willing to give it to us, generously.

EPHESIANS 5:15 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Because wisdom comes from God, we are called to walk carefully—with intention, discernment, and spiritual awareness. To walk “not as unwise but as wise” means we do not drift through life guided by impulse, culture, or convenience. We live thoughtfully, under the lordship of Christ. Every day matters, and wisdom teaches us to invest our lives in what pleases God rather than what merely satisfies the flesh.

Foolishness is not a lack of intelligence—it is living independently of God. Wisdom, on the other hand, is a life of dependence: seeking His will, listening to His Word, and trusting His guidance.

Let us pray.

Father God,

We come before You with humble hearts, acknowledging that You alone are sovereign. You are the giver of life, wisdom, and direction. We confess that too often we plan, decide, and move forward as though tomorrow were guaranteed and as though we were in control. Forgive us for our presumption and for the times we have lived without conscious dependence on You.

Lord, Your Word reminds us that our life is but a vapor, here for a moment and then gone. Teach us to number our days and to make the most of the time You have entrusted to us, especially in these evil days. Guard us from foolishness, and shape us into people who walk wisely—carefully, deliberately, and in reverence before You.

You have promised that if we lack wisdom, we may ask of You, and You will give it generously and without reproach. So we ask now: grant us Your wisdom. Shepherd our thoughts, guide our decisions, and align our desires with Your will. Let Your Word be the lamp to our feet and the light to our path.

Father, help us to say sincerely in all things, “If the Lord wills.” Lead us in our plans, our work, our relationships, and our future. Teach us to seek Your will through prayer, through Scripture, through godly counsel, and through humble submission to the authorities You have established.

May our lives reflect true godliness—not living day by day with little thought of You, but living in constant awareness of Your presence, Your glory, and our dependence on You. Keep us close to You, and let our steps be ordered by Your Spirit.

We place our lives, our time, and our future into Your hands, trusting that Your will is always good, pleasing, and perfect.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

King David's Example.

2 SAMUEL 5:17 When the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek out David; and when David heard of it, he went down to the stronghold. 18 Now the Philistines came and spread themselves out in the valley of Rephaim. 19 Then David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You give them into my hand?” And the Lord said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.” 20 So David came to Baal-perazim and defeated them there; and he said, “The Lord has broken through my enemies before me like the breakthrough of waters.” Therefore he named that place Baal-perazim.

Although David was already anointed king, a seasoned warrior, and a capable strategist, he did not rely on his position, authority, or past victories when the Philistines came against him. Instead, he inquired of the Lord, asking whether he should go up and whether God would give the enemy into his hand. This shows that true godliness is marked by dependence on God rather than self-confidence. David understood that leadership and experience do not replace the need for divine guidance, and that every situation requires seeking God’s will. His victory did not come from his military skill but from obedience to God’s direction, and he openly acknowledged that it was the Lord who brought the breakthrough. By naming the place Baal-perazim, David declared that God—not human strength—was the source of victory. This passage teaches that spiritual authority is exercised best when it is submitted to God, and that lasting success comes from obedience to His will rather than relying on our own ability.

Queen Esther's Example.

ESTHER 4:14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?” 15 Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, 16 “Go, assemble all the Jews who are found in Susa, and fast for me; do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maidens also will fast in the same way. And thus I will go in to the king, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish.”

This story reveals how God sovereignly places His people in specific positions for His purposes. Although Esther had become queen, she did not initially see her role as a means of deliverance for her people until Mordecai reminded her that God’s plan would move forward with or without her obedience. His words made it clear that God is in control and that human silence cannot stop His purposes, yet individuals are still responsible for how they respond to His calling. Esther recognized that her position was not merely a privilege but a responsibility, and that she may have been raised to royalty “for such a time as this.” In response, she submitted herself to God through fasting and prayer, acknowledging her dependence on Him before taking action. Even though approaching the king without being summoned could cost her life, she chose obedience over self-preservation, saying, “If I perish, I perish.” This passage teaches that God has a sovereign plan, that He invites us to participate in it, and that true faith expresses itself through courageous obedience, even when it involves personal risk.

Simon Peter's Example.

LUKE 5:4 When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 Simon answered and said, “Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say and let down the nets.” 6 When they had done this, they enclosed a great quantity of fish, and their nets began to break; 7 so they signaled to their partners in the other boat for them to come and help them. And they came and filled both of the boats, so that they began to sink.

This passage shows the contrast between human expertise and divine instruction. Simon Peter and his companions were experienced fishermen who had worked all night using their knowledge and skill, yet they caught nothing. From a human perspective, there was no reason to try again, especially at Jesus’ instruction to fish in deep water during the day. Still, Peter chose obedience over logic and experience, saying, “But I will do as You say.” His submission to Jesus’ word opened the door for God’s power to work beyond human ability, resulting in an overwhelming catch of fish. The blessing did not come from better technique but from trusting and obeying the Lord. This teaches us that God’s plan often goes beyond what we understand, and true fruitfulness comes when we surrender our reasoning to His will. Many times, our struggle is not lack of effort but the belief that we know better than God, when what He desires is simple obedience that allows Him to bring the increase.

PROVERBS 16:9 In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.

This verse reminds us that while it is natural and even wise for people to make plans, ultimate direction and outcomes belong to the Lord. Human planning reflects responsibility, foresight, and stewardship, but it becomes incomplete when it is done apart from God. Our understanding is limited, whereas God sees the whole path and lovingly orders each step according to His purpose. When we place God at the center of our plans, we acknowledge His sovereignty and invite His guidance, correction, and blessing. Rather than trusting in our own wisdom alone, we learn to hold our plans with humility, allowing God to redirect us when necessary, knowing that His way is always wiser and leads to what is truly good.

Jesus is the Perfect Example.

LUKE 22:41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

This passage shows the deepest and most powerful example of submission to God’s will. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus openly expressed the anguish of His humanity, asking the Father if the cup of suffering could be taken away, yet He fully surrendered by saying, “Not my will, but yours be done.” Though He knew the pain, betrayal, and death that awaited Him, Jesus chose obedience over relief. His prayer reveals that submission to God does not mean the absence of struggle, but a willingness to trust the Father even in suffering. Because Jesus said yes to the Father’s will, He went to the cross, bore our sins, died, and rose again just as He promised. Through His obedience, we now have the assurance of forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life in His heavenly kingdom. This moment reminds us that God’s will, though sometimes costly, always leads to redemption, victory, and life.

PRAYER.

Heavenly Father,

We come before You in humility, acknowledging that You alone are sovereign and wise. Like David, we confess that even when You place authority, gifts, and experience in our hands, we must still seek Your will and depend on Your guidance. Teach us not to move ahead in our own strength, but to inquire of You in every decision, trusting that true victory and breakthrough come only from You.

Lord, we thank You that You are always at work accomplishing Your purposes. As You did with Esther, help us recognize that our position, opportunities, and seasons in life are not accidental. Give us the courage to obey You even when it involves risk, sacrifice, or fear. May we be willing to say, “If I perish, I perish,” trusting that our lives are safest when they are surrendered to Your plan.

Father, we admit that many times we rely on our own understanding, like the fishermen who labored all night and caught nothing. Forgive us for the times we think we know better. Teach us to obey simply because You have spoken, knowing that there is great blessing in submitting to Your will. When our efforts fail, remind us that Your word has power to bring abundance beyond what we can imagine.

We acknowledge, Lord, that while we make plans in our hearts, it is You who establish our steps. Help us to place You at the center of all our plans, desires, and ambitions. Align our hearts with Your purposes so that our paths may honor You and bring glory to Your name.

Above all, we thank You for Jesus, who in the garden submitted completely to Your will and said, “Not my will, but Yours be done.” Because of His obedience, we have forgiveness, salvation, and the hope of eternal life. May His example shape our hearts, teaching us to trust You even in times of anguish and uncertainty.

Strengthen us, Lord, to walk in obedience, humility, and faith, confident that Your will is good, perfect, and loving. We offer our lives to You afresh today.

In Jesus’ name we pray,

Amen.

The content of this article is adapted from the source below:

Attributes of God - God is In Charge: Submit to His Will