Proverbs 27:1 Don't boast about tomorrow, for you don't know what a day might bring.James 4:13-17 Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will travel to such and such a city and spend a year there and do business and make a profit." You don't even know what tomorrow will bring- what your life will be! For you are a bit of smoke that appears for a little while, then vanishes. Instead, you should say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that." But as it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So, for the person who knows to do good and doesn't do it, it is a sin.
We often worry about tomorrow and make detailed plans, presuming that tomorrow will in fact come. This past year I ministered to several families who experienced untimely and unexpected deaths of family members. These times are always powerful reminders that each day is a gift from God that is not to be taken for granted. We are at the mercy of the Lord, and if He wills, we will.
- Presuming upon tomorrow is arrogant.
We pridefully assume that we have everything under control, so we make plans for tomorrow without including the will of God in them. There is nothing wrong with planning for tomorrow. Planning for tomorrow is good stewardship. Planning for tomorrow without submitting to the will of the Lord is foolishness. Such boasting is evil according to God's Word.
- Presuming upon tomorrow is short sighted.
The Scripture says life is like a bit of smoke, a vapor, that is here and then vanishes. Physical life is brief, regardless of how many years you have. Eternity is forever. Are you spending all your time planning for tomorrow and missing out on what God has for you today? Are you failing to live in light of eternity?
- Seek the will of the Lord, and walk in it each day.
Your goal should be to seek God's wisdom for your life, today, and walk in it. It is okay to think about tomorrow, but do so within the framework of your walk with God. Don't presume upon tomorrow and then ask God to bless your plan, that He had nothing to do with.
- Walk in the wisdom of the Lord and do good, for His glory.
The Scripture says, if you know to do good and don't do it, it is sin. Don't be guilty of sin by failing to do good today because you are wrapped up in tomorrow. Maybe you have had the attitude that when you get to a certain place in your life, then you are going to serve God more faithfully, then you are going to do good. Today is the day God has given you to do good. Slow down long enough to see the opportunities around you to be the hands and feet of Jesus in this world.
