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| Volume 21 Number 9 September 2019 | Page 4 |
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| Volume 21 Number 9 September 2019 | Page 4 |
Royce Frederick
In listening to the news this week, part of the time it all seemed like “doom and gloom.” There were stories of murder, corruption and mayhem. One story that particularly struck me was about a man driving off the street and down the sidewalk, intentionally running over people. He gunned his vehicle and headed straight at his victims, killing one person and injuring eleven others. There seemed to be no connection to him or any of the people who were his victims. When the newsman was preparing to show the clip of the tragedy, he cautioned that people watch with care because of the horror of viewing it.
I believe that some of those folks, particularly the adults, had plans not only for things they were planning to do during the rest of their day, but they also had plans for what they wanted to do tomorrow. Yet, because of this man’s actions, plans went awry, and one life was cut short. The Wise Man said, “Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth” (Proverbs 27:1 NKJV).
What a truism that is! An old saying that we’ve all heard is that “the best laid plans of man often go awry.” We all make plans and look ahead to what we need or want to do with our time tomorrow, and there’s nothing wrong with that. James handled it this way: “Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” (James 4:14). James reminded us of the brevity of life, but he didn’t stop there, for he went on to say, “You ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that’” (v. 15). He reminded us to include God as we plan our time.
Not only should we include God, we must put Him foremost in our thoughts and plans as we look forward to the rest of today and any tomorrows we may have. We read in Matthew 6:31-33, “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” This Scripture does not say that we ought not make plans for our sustenance and livelihood. The world would be in a terrible mess if everyone listened to such a falsehood. Again, we are reminded that God does know the needs of His children and will take care of them. What we must do is put God first, put our “hands to the plow” and then trust Him to do the rest.
Sometimes when death comes to loved ones or when things are not going well in our lives, it is difficult to think that things are all going to work out all right. We see the reality of the moment, and it is a hard one with which to deal. Matthew went on with this Scripture to say, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:34). He said that every day has enough trouble of its own about which to worry what may happen. Don’t waste time fretting about something about which you can do nothing when you can use your time to better advantage. We must always remember that God is “a jealous God” (Exodus 20:5). He expects His children to be faithful to Him and not let Satan and his devices come between them and Him. His commandment is to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength” (Deuteronomy 6:5). For those who are able to do as He says and put Him first in all things of this life, He will grant “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 4:7). When we put God first in our lives, we won’t have to worry about an uncertain tomorrow!
How is Religious
Division Best Addressed?
Ronald D. Reeves
Respecting and appealing to the Bible as the only religious authority in Christianity (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:3; Jude 1:3; 1 Corinthians 2:9-16).