
If The Lord Wills
We, as believers of God, are always affected by the world around us. For example, lawless points of view are potentially much more appealing when some in the media or in the community relentlessly paint them as the only views worth having. Regurgitated over and over again for an extended period of time, it is possible that we could be drawn to such deception. Though, hopefully obvious, it is a constant threat.
There is, however, something equally as deleterious, though not nearly as obvious, that we need to diligently guard against. We, as believers of God, can also find ourselves surrounded by those who appear to believe similarly, as well, when it is in pretense only. “Therefore the Lord said: ‘Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but have removed their hearts far from Me, and their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men…’” (Isaiah 29:13). Some are happy to invoke God’s name into their own schemes without any real compulsion to bring glory to His name. They, in effect, call upon God while directing their own steps.
Both unbelievers and falsely professing believers can affect our attitudes and therefore, actions in this politically charged world. God’s wisdom, through Solomon, gives us the spiritual solution. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5–6). Not leaning on our own understanding, but God’s instead, thwarts the deception that can lead to open rebellion. And trusting in God rather than self will give us spiritual stability as we glorify His name.
James says something that is very similar in principle, but in different words. “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). If we do not want to be negatively affected by the world, “If the Lord wills”, should precede all our thoughts and actions.
Marshall Stiver