WHAT’S IN MY FUTURE?

 

Tuesday, October 25, 2022

 

WHAT’S IN MY FUTURE?

 

Matt 6:30-34

30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

 

         I preached my first sermon on New Year’s Eve 1968. The following day I loaded my ’67 Mustang with a green footlocker, an old, mostly cardboard, suitcase, a guitar, and an apple pie. A little old church lady baked me an apple pie to sustain me along my way! It was a kind gesture that I still remember after so many years.

 

          How could I know that, as lonely as I felt at that time, I would be married just seven months later? It was unthinkable that I would be a father less than two years later.

 

          This familiar portion of Scripture offers us wisdom in several areas. First, we see that anxiety about tomorrow’s gain cheapens today’s riches! If we are not careful, we will become sullen and dissatisfied with the things God has already given us. Look around and see if you do not have more than enough to make you happy.

 

          Planning for a soft and comfortable future will also distract us from our primary focus which is God’s kingdom and righteousness. Thoughts of tomorrow’s supply ruins today’s purpose and productivity. Jesus promised that, if we focused on His business, He would care for our needs both today and tomorrow. We either believe that or we don’t.

 

            Warren Wiersbe tells us that: “The Greek word translated take no thought literally means "to be drawn in different directions." Worry pulls us apart. Until man interferes, everything in nature works together, because all of nature trusts God. Man, however, is pulled apart because he tries to live his own life by depending on material wealth.” I could add that true faith means that I need not employ any manipulation.

 

          If we could see the future, we would also see tomorrow’s cache of evil.  William Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) declared: “It is bad enough to know the past; it would be intolerable to know the future.”

 

Dear Lord, I confess to being uneasy about the future. Thank you for securely holding my future in your capable hands. AMEN