Proverbs Chapter 27

Proverbs 27:1 (ESV) "Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring."

I was a young, energetic and successful manager for Wendy’s International in Denver, Colorado. When my wife and I moved with our young daughter to Virginia, I accepted a position with a Wendy’s franchise. It wasn’t long before I figured out that I was by far the best manager they had in their small franchise. I had my future planned. I was going to be running the entire operation. Before I was done the owners were going to offer me a part ownership in the company. It was bound to happen. After all, I was the best manager they had working for them. Then one day, my supervisor, sat me down for a little talk. He explained to me that my attitude needed to change. I needed to get with their program. I heard the words he said but to me they meant that he was jealous and afraid of me taking his job. I had it all planned out, right? So his words glanced off my self absorbed brain making no effect. About two weeks later he sat me down for another talk. This time he fired me. I couldn’t believe it! How could they fire me?! They needed me. I was the best! In one fell swoop all my well thought out and ambitious plans were ruined. The future was now out of focus and uncertain. What was I to do?

My tomorrow now looked completely different than what I had envisioned. Not long after being fired, I found a job by signing up for active duty in the USMC. Talk about a change in plans! My story is not unique. Most likely all of us at one point or another have seen our carefully laid plans or dreams for tomorrow dashed to pieces in a single moment. Sometimes it may be a consequence of our own actions, like with me getting fired. Other times there is just take dramatic turn of events and things change. So what are we to do or learn?

The Bible is clear about what our attitude and outlook on tomorrow ought to be. "We don’t know what a day may bring forth". James says tomorrow comes and goes just like a water vapor appears and then vanishes. Jesus told us "Don’t worry about tomorrow. Each day has enough trouble of its own." So is it wrong to make plans? Absolutely not! Making no plans whatsoever would be akin to setting sail in the middle of the ocean with no rudder and no concern for where you ended up. We should make good plans. We should make wise investments. But in all of our planning and investing we should remember that we really don’t know what will come tomorrow. Tomorrow may be better than we plan or it may be much worse. For some tomorrow may not even arrive.

With all the uncertainty about tomorrow there is one thing of which we can be absolutely certain. God knows our tomorrow and He holds it in His hands. We can depend on it. We can trust in Him for the future. When our plans change, and they will, it’s OK. God is not surprised. He is firmly on His throne. He loves you and cares for you. He will not forsake you today and He will not forsake you tomorrow. So make your plans but don’t "boast about tomorrow". Make your plans but understand that you "don’t know what a day may bring forth". Make your plans but don’t depend on them. Depend on Him. I tell you with all confidence that He won’t let you down. Your future is secure in Him.