What a Day May Bring

“Do not boast about tomorrow,
    for you do not know what a day may bring.” Proverbs 27:1

“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:34

“And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’” Luke 12:19-20

“Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit’—  yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” James 4:13,14

A sudden loss. Medical diagnosis. Dreaded call. Unexpected announcement. Devastating storm. A happenstance meeting. Birth. Spiritual epiphany. Happy news. Relational breakthrough. In the course of a moment, or 24 hours, any number of occurrences can jolt our senses and plans in ways we never would have imagined. And godly wisdom teaches that we not set fretting or undue curiosity upon them, but keep fixed in joy and trust in the Lord. Emotions and inner turmoil only eclipse the greater purposes He intends.

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4-7

We do not know what a day may bring, but we can know Who brings the day. And He who brings days determines with perfection and grace what the days bring. They are full of lurches, surprises, twists and turns, all instruments in His loving hands for the furthering of His plans, our good, and His ultimate glory.

Scripture teaches that we are to settle our times within His care and keeping, and our minds to seeking and developing godly wisdom for each day and circumstance. It is there we know Him best and can fully engage in His kingdom purposes. We are to be invested in the present, not our consternation about what may or may not happen, or stress over what has. When we ask, What am I to learn about God in this, how would He change me or what would He teach me?, we begin to energize that heart of wisdom He tends to so well. (Psalm 90:12)

“He will be the stability of your times,
    abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge;
    the fear of the Lord is Zion’s treasure.” Isaiah 33:6

What tremors or shocks have unsettled a recent day? What do we dread about days to come? Would we choose to settle these in minds staid on the Lord who makes each day and holds it in His faithfulness? How will we surrender anew, and to what promises will we cling, so we daily expect great things from our great God, no matter what transpires? (Isaiah 26:3)

Lord, teach me to receive and handle each day You bring with wisdom, joy, peace, and determination to give You glory.