The Pride of Presumption

Posted by scottallen on Nov 4, 2011 in Daily Bread | 0 comments

Planning is vital. We often say that “to fail to plan is to plan to fail”. In this verse, James was not condemning all planning. He was condemning planning that has no regard for God. When we slip into such a mentality, planning turns into presumption. When we presume that we are writing the script, that we hold the reigns and control the situation, we wrongly place ourselves upon the throne of God. From such a great height, we set ourselves up for a great fall.

Planning without God is very dangerous. In reality, much of life is beyond our control. Even our best thought-out plans can fail when the unexpected happens. We might plan to carry out business at a certain time and place, hoping to make a profit. But who can be certain of success? Are our suppliers reliable? Will sales meet forecasts? Will we be healthy enough to continue our work? Will our competitors undercut us?

Even if we do succeed, will money really make us and those around us happy? In our pride and arrogance, we assume we have it all figured out, but only God knows what lies on the road ahead. How, then, can we make plans without Him?

It is interesting that in Proverbs 6:16-19, both “haughty eyes” and “a heart that devises wicked schemes” are among the seven things God finds detestable. When we plan in pride, we can deviate far from God’s aspirations for our lives. For as Solomon pointed out, “God made man upright, but men have gone in search of many schemes” (Ecclesiastes 7:29).

In Numbers 13:31, twelve representatives had returned from scouting the promised land. All of the explorers agreed that it was a desirable land that “flowed with milk and honey”, but ten of the spies presumed that “we can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.” Only Joshua and Caleb were willing to follow God’s plan to conquer this new land. God condemned this unbelieving people to forty years of wandering the wilderness. Later, in Numbers 14:44-45, the Israelites decided that they could take the land after all. They formulated their own plan to take the land immediately, instead of waiting for God’s timing and blessing. As a result of their presumption, they were soundly defeated by the Amalekites and Canaanites.

Men’s plans may fail, God’s purposes stand firm forever (see Psalm 33:10-11). David understood this from experience. After becoming king, he faced opposition from the Philistines. He was in charge now. Surely after years of military service he knew how to dispatch his enemies. Yet in 2 Samuel 5:19 and 5:23, David inquired of the Lord. The first time God told David to attack directly, and the second time He told David to set an ambush. In both cases, David avoided presumption and followed God’s instructions instead of relying on his own plans. In both cases, David experienced the victory that God intended.

Jesus also understood the dangers of presumption when he prayed in Gethsemane “yet not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39). For it was not in presumptuous pride that our salvation was purchased, but in humble dependence on a loving, all-powerful God.

May we never forget our total dependence upon God. Put away your self-help books and conventional wisdom. Yield your plans to God and obey His instructions. That is the true path to success, both in this life and the life to come.