June 11, 2017 (Proverbs 26:12)

“Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him” (Prov 26:12). A common way people are wise in their own eyes is with boasting about what they intend to do in the future. Indeed, a parallel proverb is that which says, “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth” (Prov 27:1). Centuries later James would write a person does not even know what will happen tomorrow (4:14). I cannot recall the number of times as an oncologist that I was referred patients whose plans for an event were curtailed when an unexpected diagnosis of cancer requiring immediate intervention was made. It is precious if we learn to treat each day as a gift from heaven, neither dwelling on yesterdays through a rear-view mirror nor only living in expectation of tomorrows. Those who make it a practice of living in the present are those who live best. They are maximizing the value and potential of each day, savoring the brief time allotted us on earth and keeping themselves in a state of preparation for return of the Bridegroom. In His constitution for life in the Kingdom of heaven known as the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus exhorts us to avoid worry about our tomorrows as each day has sufficient trouble of its own (Matthew 6:34). Whenever we find ourselves needing to discuss future plans, it is always wise to add the phrase, “if it be the Lord’s will.” In that manner, we can avoid any presumption as to what God’s plans might be for our lives on a day to day basis. For as the Lord explains to Nicodemas (John 3), life led by the Spirit of God can be much like the wind, knowing neither from whence it comes nor where it is going.