September 13, 2026
“Then Joshua asked them, “How long are you going to wait before taking possession of the remaining land the Lord, the God of your ancestors, has given to you?” Joshua 18:3 (NLT)
“Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.” James 4:17 (NLT)
Many years ago, while taking an evangelism class, I was introduced to a book by Jack Hyles entitled “Let’s Go Soul Winning”, which was used in the class. I do not remember every chapter in the book; however, I remember one story he shared that stayed with me.
Pastor Hyles told of the tremendous burden he carried concerning his father’s salvation. He had wanted his father to come to Christ, but then the opportunity he thought he still had was suddenly gone. His father died unexpectedly of a heart attack. The story left an impression upon me that has remained for years: we should never assume that we will have another opportunity to do tomorrow what God has placed before us today.
Perhaps that story affected me so deeply because of my years working in the medical profession. Throughout the years, particularly in emergency and critical-care settings, I have witnessed how quickly life can change, and how our next heartbeat or breath is not guaranteed. A person can awaken in the morning expecting an ordinary day and, before that day ends, experience a heart attack, a stroke, a devastating accident, or another unexpected medical emergency. There are moments when yesterday’s plans suddenly become irrelevant because life has changed in an instant.
We make appointments for next week. We plan vacations for next year. We say, “I’ll call them tomorrow.” “I’ll apologize later.” “I’ll start when things settle down.” Or “I’ll forgive eventually.” “I’ll share Christ with them the next time I see them.” “I’ll do what God has been telling me to do when I feel more prepared.”
But there is something dangerously presumptuous hidden inside the word later.
Later assumes another opportunity.
Later assumes circumstances will remain the same.
Later assumes the person will still be there.
Later assumes we will still be here.
James 4:14 asks the question – James confronts that assumption! “How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog; it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.” (NLT)
Scripture is not telling us that planning is wrong. Scripture is reminding us
that TOMORROW BELONGS TO GOD, NOT TO US.
There is a difference between waiting on God and making God wait on us. Sometimes God says, “Wait.” But sometimes God has already said, “Go.” And when God has made the assignment clear, continuing to postpone our obedience is no longer simply procrastination. At some point, delay becomes disobedience.
James 4:17 makes that truth painfully clear: “Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.” (NLT) Maybe the question is not, “What am I waiting for?” Perhaps the better question is: “What has God already told me to do that I keep postponing as though tomorrow were promised?”
Tomorrow is not promised! But today we have an assignment. Stop asking for a sign when He has already told you what to do!
Procrastination Has Consequences Even When Death Is Not Involved! Working in the medical profession, coordinating services, I have seen people postpone appointments, ignore symptoms, delay recommended treatment, or promise themselves they will make necessary lifestyle changes “next month.” Unfortunately, sometimes by the time they finally act, the condition has progressed, and the consequences are more serious.
Spiritually, we can do the same thing. God reveals something in our heart, but we postpone dealing with it. God tells us to forgive, but we wait. God tells us to apologize, but we delay. God tells us to begin, but we keep preparing. God tells us to release something, but we keep holding on. God opens a door, but fear keeps us standing in the hallway.
We recognize the symptoms of disobedience while assuming there will always be time to address the condition later. Last week we examined what was contaminating the heart. This week, the question is: Now that God has shown it to you, how long are you going to wait before you do something about it?
That is the question Joshua asked the Israelites, noted in Joshua 18:3: “How long are you going to wait before taking possession of the remaining land the LORD, the God of your ancestors, has given to you?” (NLT) Notice something important: God had already given it to them. The problem was not God’s provision. The problem was their failure to move. There is a difference between waiting on God and making God wait on us.
Biblical Waiting is Not Inactivity. Sometimes God tells us to wait because He is preparing us, preparing circumstances, closing one door, opening another, or developing something in us that we will need for the assignment ahead.
However, there are other times when God has already said, “Go.” And we are still praying.
Still analyzing.
Still waiting for confirmation.
Still asking other people what they think.
Still waiting until we feel confident.
Still waiting until we have enough money.
Still waiting until we’re no longer afraid.
Still waiting for the “perfect time.”
Ecclesiastes 11:4 gives us a vivid picture that says: “Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant. If they watch every cloud, they never harvest.” (NLT) If you wait for every condition to be perfect, you may never plant. And if you never plant, you cannot expect a harvest.
Sometimes Procrastination Sounds Spiritual: “I’m praying about it.” But there comes a point when we have to ask ourselves: Am I really waiting for God’s direction, or am I postponing obedience to the direction He has already given me? James 4:17 removes the excuses: He says, “Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.” (NLT) 
Procrastination, therefore, is not always simply a time-management problem:
Sometimes it is a fear problem.
Sometimes it is a perfectionism problem.
Sometimes it is an overthinking problem.
Sometimes it is a faith problem.
And sometimes, when God has clearly told us what to do, it becomes an obedience problem.
Delayed Obedience Can Become a Missed Opportunity. There are opportunities God graciously gives us again. But there are others that may never return. That person may not always be there. That door may not remain open. That season may change. That opportunity to speak, serve, reconcile, forgive, encourage, witness, begin, or obey may pass. So perhaps the question is no longer: “What am I waiting for?”
The Real Question May Be: “What has God already told me to do that I keep postponing as though tomorrow were promised?” Tomorrow is not promised ~ But TODAY has an assignment.
HEART 
ASSESSMENT: What Is This Examination Revealing? Ask yourself:
- What has God already told me to do that I continue to postpone?
- Am I truly waiting on God, or have I made “waiting on God” an excuse for not moving?
- Am I waiting for perfect conditions before doing something that God has already made clear?
- Is fear disguising itself as procrastination?
- Am I overthinking an assignment because I want to know every detail before I obey?
- Have I confused feeling ready with being called?
- What “one day” have I repeated so often that good intentions have never become obedience?
- If tomorrow were not available to me, what would I wish I had obeyed God about today?
HEART 
CHALLENGE: Stop Waiting ~ Start Obeying! Identify one thing you know God has been prompting you to do. Not ten things. One. Write it down. Then ask yourself: What is the next obedient step I can take TODAY?
Maybe it is making the phone call.
Sending the message.
Offering the apology.
Forgiving the offense.
Scheduling the appointment.
Beginning the assignment.
Sharing the Gospel.
Applying for the opportunity.
Starting the ministry, or
Finishing what you started, or finally releasing what God told you to let go.
Don’t wait until you feel completely ready. Don’t wait until every question has been answered. Don’t wait until fear disappears.
Obedience does not require perfect conditions. It requires a willing heart.
Procrastination Has Many Disguises!
Sometimes it calls itself “waiting for the right time.”
Sometimes “I need to think about it some more.”
Sometimes “I’m praying about it.”
Sometimes “I’m not ready.”
Sometimes “I’m afraid.”
Sometimes simply “One day…”
But Self-Confrontation asks: “Has God already made this clear?” Because when God has already spoken, the issue may no longer be clarity; the issue may be obedience.
GOD’S STANDING ORDERS ~ The Master Physician’s Prescription For Life. God’s Word is the prescription; our obedience is the administration. We must take a daily dose, never skip doses, and apply it consistently!
Standing Orders For The Heart: The Master Physician’s Prescription for Self-Confrontation!
Order #1: STOP Putting off What God Told You To Do! When God has made it clear, delay can become disobedience. James 4:17 reminds us, “Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.” (NLT)
Order #2: STOP Putting off Your Divine Assignment! Tomorrow is not promised, but today has an assignment.
Order #3: STOP Overthinking the Assignment! You don’t need to know everything before you obey. Joshua 18:3 says, “Then Joshua asked them, ‘How long are you going to wait before taking possession of the remaining land the LORD, the God of your ancestors, has given to you? (NLT)
Order #4: STOP Waiting For The Perfect Conditions ~ Faith moves even when every detail isn’t visible. Ecclesiastes 11:4. “Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant. If they watch every cloud, they never harvest.” (NLT)
Order #5: STOP Saying “One Day”! Good intentions accomplish nothing until they become action. Proverbs 27:1 “Don’t brag about tomorrow, since you don’t know what the day will bring.” (NLT)
Order #6: STOP Allowing Fear To Disguise Itself As Procrastination ~ You may have to obey God while your knees are still shaking. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” (NLT)
REMEMBER: You cannot obey yesterday. You cannot obey tomorrow. You can only obey God TODAY.
LET’S PRAY: Father God, thank You for Your authoritative, inerrant, and inspired Word! Thank You for reminding us that our days are in Your hands and that tomorrow is not promised. Search our hearts and reveal the places where procrastination has become an excuse for delayed obedience. Forgive us for the times You said “Go,” but we remained still; for the times You said “Speak,” but we remained silent; for the times You said “Forgive,” but we held on; and for the times You gave us an assignment, but we kept waiting for perfect conditions. Give us wisdom to know when You are telling us to wait and courage to recognize when You are telling us to move. Help us release fear, perfectionism, excuses, overthinking, and the need to have every detail before we obey You. Teach us to number our days, value the opportunities You place before us, and respond to Your voice with a willing “Yes, Lord.” May we never presume upon tomorrow while neglecting the assignment You have given us today. Give us the courage to take the next step, in the Precious, Powerful, and Preeminent Name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
REFERENCES: Logos Bible Study, WORDsearch, Life Application Series, Various Commentaries, and Study Bibles.