Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is a vapor, that appeareth for a little while, and then it vanisheth away.—James 4:14

As I ponder these words from James, I think of words spoken by Job when he tells us to remember that our life is wind (Job 7:7). I hear the Psalmist as he tells us that we are flesh, a wind that passes away and never comes again (Ps. 78:29).  Many thoughts echo through my mind as I now think about my life. The words spoken by Isaiah to Hezekiah seem so appropriate, “Set your house in order, for thou shalt die, and not live” (2 Kings 20:1).

James tells us that our lives are nothing more than a vapor. A vapor is something that is unsubstantial, something that is fleeting, floating for a short time in the air and then in just a moment of time it is gone. We do not know whether or not there will be a tomorrow for us and if there should be, not one of us knows what it will bring into our life. There is nothing that we can do to guarantee that we are going to be on this earth when the sun next rises. By the same token none of us can see or know beforehand the events of tomorrow if we do see that sunrise. Of a surety, our lives are filled with uncertainty with each minute, each hour depending on unknown causes and events.

So often we make plans for ourselves, filling our hearts with thoughts of what we will do, and where we will go, not only in the next few hours but also in future days and weeks. Now, there is nothing wrong with thinking and planning ahead so long as God is always included in that thinking and planning. “The Lord willing” should be the rule of our life James 4:15). This is a thought that should ever be in our hearts and on some occasions should be spoken aloud for others to hear.

  

All of us need to give God our best while we spend these few short years on planet earth. Give to him the best of our love, our labor and our loyalty (Mark 12:30). In order to accomplish this we must be willing to freely, willingly and cheerfully give to him our heart without any divided allegiance whatsoever (Psalms 23:26, Matt. 6:24). God never says you should not or you must not serve that which has at its heart worldly goods or gain. He does say you cannot do so and serve him (1 John 2:15-17, James 4:4). Never, never attempt to limp between God and the world.. Choose you this day and abide by that choice (Joshua 24:15).

God has been so good to each one of us. In return, give to him your heart and live each day as if it were your last day (2 Samuel 20:3).

Charles Hicks