Promises Based on the Will of God

Day By Day By Grace
Bob Hoekstra
June 24, 2010

Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit"; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that." (James 4:13-15)

Promises based on the will of God is another category of acceptable promises. People are frequently heard making predictive promises. "I will be a more faithful husband next year.." "I will get better grades in school this semester." "I will not repeat my personal failures of last year." "I will improve my business this quarter." Such promises are only acceptable to God, if they are made contingent upon the will of God. Instead, we ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that."

The will of God is to be the determining factor for all of our plans. God used James to reprimand the self-willed life. "Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit'." Such promises indicate the arrogance that people can embrace within their lives. "But now you boast in your arrogance" (James 4:16). Such arrogance prohibits us from living by grace, because grace is imparted to the humble heart. "Be clothed with humility, for 'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble'" (1 Peter 5:5).

David was a notable example of one who humbly yielded to, and sought after, the will of God. "I delight to do Your will, O my God…Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God" (Psalm 40:8; 143:10). Paul's comprehensive commitment to God's will could be seen even in the way he stated predictive promises about his personal travel plans. As he left Ephesus, he stated,"I will return again to you, God willing" (Acts 18:21). When writing to Corinth, he promised "I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills" (1 Corinthians 4:19).

Ultimately, the Lord Jesus Christ taught and lived with His Father's will as the absolute standard. Concerning how we should pray, He taught, "In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven…Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:9-10). He Himself prayed in this way. "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will" (Matthew 26:39).

Dear Father, I seek You for a heart that is fully committed to Your will. May I delight in Your will each day. May I speak of future days only in terms of Your will—"If it is Your will, I shall live and do this or that."