Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. – Proverbs 27:1
Do you ever begin a day with your to-do list, expecting that everything will go according to plan? It usually doesn’t take long to rediscover that life is unpredictable. The circumstances of your day may or may not unfold in a way that resembles your hopes for productivity or accomplishment. During the pandemic earlier this decade, people’s plans were significantly disrupted, and everyone had to adapt to the mandates and restrictions they faced. While humans appear to prefer to plan their lives out, the Bible highlights an alternate way to live.
Proverbs 27 cautions against bragging about what is ahead. This passage is not saying that it is wrong to make a wise plan for the future. Instead, it is warning about the overconfidence or sense of control that comes when someone gets wrapped up in their own plans. The truth is that no one but God knows what will happen each day. It is dangerous when people become so committed to their plans that they feel like they are in control of their future.
Preacher Charles Spurgeon affirmed that the mystery of each day is a blessing, since “know[ing] the good might lead [you] to presumption, [and knowing] the evil might tempt [you] to despair.” While altered plans can be a frustration or even a shock to you, this is never the case for the Lord. He is always in control, always knows the future, and always knows exactly what needs to come next.
The next time you face altered plans, whether large or small, take a moment to stop and thank God for His plan that is always perfect. Pray for those in positions of authority in the nation, as they make plans on a daily basis. Ask the Lord to give them sound judgment and a heart that is more concerned with His plans than their own.
Today’s Verse: Proverbs 27:1
Do not boast about tomorrow,
for you do not know what a day may bring.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Matthew 6:25-34
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
