DEVOTION – DAY 152

James 4:13-15 “Only God Is In Control”

 

James 4:13-15 “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.” 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. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” 

These verses were written by James to warn people against boasting about their ambitious plans. In reality, they were not in control of many things in their lives. We find the same situation today. There are people who think they can plan when to get married. There are people who think they can plan when they should have children. Or what they will do when they retire.

The Covid-19 pandemic have caused many people to realize the truth found in James 4:13-15. The pandemic has taught many people that they are not in control of many factors. Life is indeed fragile because we can be here today, and tomorrow, we can be infected by the virus and it can be fatal. As these verses remind us, we are like a mist that appears for a little while.

Recently, a young man of 20, who followed all the safety advice by staying at home and focusing on his studies, died suddenly from Covid-19. His parents could not understand how he could have died since he hardly went out of the house and no one in the family was infected by Covid-19. On analyzing this young man’s movements, his parents recalled that their son had ordered something online and it was delivered to their home. Their son went out to the gate and received the item he had bought online from the delivery man. What he did not know was that the delivery man had Covid-19 virus and his hands were not clean. So, when he handed the parcel to this young man, he passed the virus to the young man. He became infected as the virus strain he was infected was highly contagious. This young man who had planned to study abroad ended up being dead. His death greatly saddened his parents who never dreamt it would ever happen to them.

We see large countries like India brought to their knees because of the spread of Covid-19. Countries that were once proud of their Covid-19 record, like Taiwan, Japan and Vietnam are now seeing rising number of cases. Even China had an outbreak in Guangzhou that brought parts of the city to a standstill. It causes us to realize that mankind is not in control. God is the one who is in control. It is important for us to realize that life is brief and we must live it in ways that honor and pleases God. It is foolish for anyone to make plans without having God in the plans.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we are sorry that we sometimes act as if we are in control of our lives. Help us to realize that we need you at the center of our lives always and to live for your glory. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

 

Questions

  1. What plans are you making for yourselves and is God in these plans? Share.
  2. What has the Covid-19 pandemic taught you about the priorities in your life?
  3. What changes will you now make to your plans in the light of this devotional?
  4. How has the pandemic taught you that life is fragile?