“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.” Proverbs 27:1
Devotional Thought For The Day
Is it wrong to take things for granted, to assume that things are generally going to be stable and to plan ahead based on what can be known in the present and from the past? Is it wrong to have faith and trust in the promises of God and to have optimism, courage, and confidence as we move forward in life? We are all familiar with the parallel passage in James [4:13-16] which warns against presumption and the inherent pride and arrogance which all too often accompanies human ambitions. It is this human pride and presumption, which bases confidence in oneself, in human abilities, which elevates human power and prerogative, which is warned against in Scripture – not humble faith, trust, and confidence in God. It is the kind of presumptive pride and arrogance exhibited in the construction of the Tower of Babel [Gen. 11], the kind of self-assurance and smug self-reliance of the rich farmer [Luke 12:18,19] which is excoriated in this proverb and elsewhere in Holy Scripture.
Unfortunately, we just can’t seem to get this balance down right – we feel better, more secure, more confident when we can look at bountiful resources supposedly within our own control, and insecure, fearful, and full of gloom when our cupboards are nearly bare. All of this reveals the reality and pervasive impact of our sinful nature – and we have constant need of repentance in this regard. So the proverb rightfully directs us to humble ourselves in repentance and to return to the humility of faith, faith and trust in God’s gracious forgiveness and mercy, faith also in God’s loving care and provident blessings in our lives. Then, humbly assured of and filled with God’s great love for us, we will joyfully adhere to what James instructs us as we approach life, our decisions and our activities: “Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.'” [James 4:15] How blessed we are when we make this our habit and pattern in life!
Those who are thus blessed to trust in God and not in themselves are then prepared to absorb the somewhat incomprehensible wisdom of God in His ordering of human affairs, including our own personal affairs. Even trusting in God, and making decisions based both in His promises and His love as well as the wisdom that can be gleaned from past experiences and careful consideration of present realities, our decisions don’t always yield the results we anticipate – and circumstances can change rapidly, dramatically, and unpredictably. Our recent floods, as well as other natural and man-made disasters clearly illustrate this! Illnesses, accidents, injuries, and other personal setbacks can dramatically affect our “successes” and failures. Yet for those who know and believe God’s great love for us, and His assurance that He is working all things together for our great good and blessedness, even disasters and crushing experiences can be taken in stride, knowing that ultimately everything is going to work out optimally for us – not because we are in charge, but precisely because God is in charge!
So let us humble ourselves each day, confessing both our misplaced confidence in ourselves and in other created things and also our fearfulness and lack of trust in God – rejoicing in the assurance and certainty of His forgiveness, mercy, and love in Christ Jesus. Then let us also take time each day to commend our activities, our ambitions, and our plans into God’s hands – remembering that all depends on His will not our own. Then let us go forth in life confidently, courageously, and joyfully, knowing that whatever outcomes we experience all is in God’s hands, and therefore must be most blessed. This is the life of faith and trust in God, just the opposite of boastful faith and trust in ourselves.
Prayer For The Day
Dear Lord Jesus, how easily we slip from confidence based in faith and trust in You to confidence in ourselves and our resources, and then into pride, arrogance, and boasting. Forgive us for all sins, sins of self-reliance and also sins of fearfulness and despair of Your love and providential care for us. Grant us joy in Your forgiveness, confidence in Your salvation, and also reliance upon Your gracious love and promises each day. We ask these blessings knowing that this is Your blessed will for us. Amen.