A word fitly spoken is like APPLES OF GOLD in a setting of silver – Proverbs 25v11
As we continue in the Book of Proverbs, food for thought is found in chapter 27v1: “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring”. This verse should be read in conjunction with James 4v13: “Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes”.
Of course we have to plan our future or else we will drift aimlessly through life and that is not Godly or wise. What we must not do though is to be arrogant and leave God out of the equation. As we have seen over these past weeks the secret to life is wisdom and as that is God given, we need to involve Him in our planning and submit to His will. In the epistles of Paul and John several times they mention their plans to visit people and churches, but God had other plans which were better. For instance, some epistles would not have been written if the visits had taken place. To sum up – let us live today as though it is our last and plan tomorrow in humility subject to God’s will.
How do we know His will? Romans 12v2: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
We have to renew our mind and not rely on feelings which are influenced by this world’s value system. We should also test our motives against God’s Word and be prepared to change direction if need be.
God Bless
Graeme Greenwood