The Delightful Thoughts of “If the Lord Wills”
As the end of another year approaches, emotions are extreme in opposite directions. While many will arrange for several times of gatherings for family and friends, there are others who will not be able to join in such festivities for a variety of reasons. While joy and gladness exist in some, sadness will exist in others. While some will expend a great deal of expense to bring cheer and happiness to the hearts of their loved ones, there are others who can scarcely afford a homemade trinket; albeit those usually contain more love and value than the costliest of manufactured gifts. There are those who will feast as kings and queens, while others will be thankful for morsels of what they’ve saved from previous meals. Nonetheless, the truly grateful give thanks to God for the blessings they’ve received and beg His continued care for them as He sees fit – all according to His will!
When one seriously considers James 4:15, he realizes the statement, “If the Lord wills …” is made in the context of living! Notice the wording: “For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.” It is in the context of James’ discussion of those who go about their lives as though they are in control of both time and circumstances. He warns we know not what shall be on the morrow because life is like a vapor that appears but for a short time and then vanishes from sight. For that reason, we should preface our life, our plans, our desires, our words, and our deeds with the words, “If the Lord wills.”
Such a phrase will cause us to guard well our lives! It forces us to note the Lord might NOT will that we do this or that. Once we determine the fitness of our actions according to the Lord’s will, we are better suited to be content with such things as we have, realizing the Lord is indeed our helper and we need have no fear of what man shall do to us (cf. Hebrews 13:5 – 6). As well, we learn that even when the Lord’s will is, “No,” we are still content with His will. (Philippians 4:10 – 13)
Now, as we accept what appears to be the conclusion of one year and the beginning of a new one (again, if the Lord wills), we devote some time to reflect upon our words and deeds. We note both accomplishments and the lack of accomplishments. We note an increase in some things and a decrease in other things. If we examine our spiritual life during the past twelve months, have we done the Lord’s will? Remember, the Lord knows the answer better than we are often willing to admit (Hebrews 4:12 – 13). And be careful about “bragging” on your accomplishments (Proverbs 27:2;1 Corinthians 10:12). God is not forgetful to remember our works and labors of love (Hebrews 6:10), but He never permits us to boast of what we’ve endeavored to do for His cause! Whatever we did, it was done because of the Lord’s will.
We also tend to gaze into the new year if the Lord wills that we are so blessed as to gain another year. Since man has no knowledge of the day God has appointed to judge the world in righteousness (Acts 17:31), he usually plans as though the hands of the clock will keep turning, the pages of the calendar keep flipping over, and life marches onward. But as we’ve seen several times this past year, “time and chance happeneth to all.” (Ecclesiastes 9:10) Indeed, life in every aspect must be prefaced with, “If the Lord wills.”
Therefore, this being the final THOUGHTS WORTH THINKING for 2022, we gratefully thank you, readers, for your voiced and written comments regarding these articles, and urge you all to continue devoting your time to reading, studying, learning, and obeying God’s word! Do it because it IS God’s will to do so! We urge you to apply your hearts unto wisdom (Psalm 90:12) because it is the Lord’s will. And we urge you to be more dedicated to the life you live in Christ Jesus (Colossians 3:1-17) because it is the Lord’s will to do so! And if it is the Lord’s will that 2023 becomes reality, let us never compromise our allegiance to Him in any matter. Loving and obeying Him is our life – and it is the Lord’s will!