July 2, 2017 (Proverbs 27:1)

“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth” (Prov 27:1). Last week’s proverb is a doorway which applies to a great many aspects of a man’s life. One of these involves the planning of one’s future, even in a spiritual sense as relating to offering oneself as a living sacrifice to God (Romans 12:1). Religious spirits, prevalent in the American church,  have resulted in relatively few taking note of Paul’s words telling us that “those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God” and how this concerns our decisions in life (Romans 8:14). A dear friend of mine is a case in point illustrating this so clearly. The son of a missionary (non-pentecostal), his family has a long heritage of having achieved ‘success’ in various evangelical endeavors together with having pursued a variety of post-graduate degrees in higher education. On one occasion, he even acknowledged that ‘intellectualism’ was a character trait of his family. My friend, rather than entering into the ministry early on, had entered the world of business in which he greatly excelled. Now in mid-life, he is feeling as though he ‘missed a calling’ into ministry. Having left a successful secular career, he now is striving to pursue service to God by utilizing those abilities and talents which were successful in his prior business career.  It has proven nearly impossible to instill the idea of being led by the Spirit of God instead of trying with the very best of intentions to engineer a future in the kingdom of God on earth by making plans which are serving to orchestrate the exact direction of his tomorrows. Yet scripture specifically tells us that God has plans for us in advance when we are created new (born again) in His Son (Ephesians 2:10).  It is in surrendering our lives to be used as God chooses that we obey the admonition of the Lord to “follow” Him. Such is told by Solomon, inspired to write, “I know that, whatsoever god does, it shall be for ever: nothing can be added to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God does it, that men should fear before Him” (Ecclesiastes 3:14) Hired hands who occupy most pulpits in America would have the alms-givers who support their lifestyle and retirement program believe that anything at all done in the name of God is acceptable in the eyes of heaven. But such is not true in any way, shape or form. So it is those like my friend are handicapped when need is discussed over having a Spirit-filled life in Christ: “Not by might [man’s might] nor by power [man’s power], but by My Spirit, says the LORD of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6). An understanding of this is a useful deterrent to any tendency toward boasting about the future.