Today's Devotional

January 8, 2003

Subject: It Depends

James 4:15 - "For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that."

I began to work acquisitions for the Marine Corps a few years back.  For those who don't know, we basically are responsible for major and minor spending programs to buy weapons and material for the military.  What was most intriguing is this philosophy behind how to properly go about the process of any acquisition program.  We are taught that the best answer to any question on how to do something is, 'it depends."  Everything depends on other factors that ultimately affect whether or not you can do this or that.

I've found that this is normally a great way to answer most questions.  Not all, but most.  Take some basic questions that you often get from unbelievers like, "is drinking a sin?"  Well it depends. "Is smoking a sin?"  Well it depends.  "Is fornication a sin?"  Yep, it sure is.

If God's principles and His word are behind every answer that we give, then we will have to consider everything that He has said about it.  So when someone asks you what you think is a basic question, it might just depend on some other things that have not been considered.  The bottom line on everything will be that it depends on what God has said about it.  I plan on doing some great things on tomorrow, but it really does depend on whether or not God says the same.

I speak with my words and make plans as I submit to Him, but ultimately, "it depends."

 Carlen