Dennis Abernathy

It is reported that while campaigning for the presidency in 1928, Herbert Hoover said, “We are nearer to the final triumph over poverty than ever before in the history of any land. The poorhouse is vanishing from among us. We have not yet reached the goal, but we shall soon be in sight of the day when poverty will be banished from this nation.” Well apparently, folks back then believed Hoover—at least they elected him to become our nation’s president. But that rosy outlook on the future was too optimistic—a short time later the stock market crashed, and the Great Depression began.

That ought to remind us not to put too much confidence in the projections and promises of those who aspire to become our leaders—and it ought to remind us not to be too confident about what the future holds. In fact, Proverbs 27: 1 says, “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.” Each day has its own twists and turns, bringing unanticipated events. Therefore, carefully laid plans can suddenly be rendered worthless. James 4: 14-15 says, “You do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist (vapor) that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.” The future will come; on that point there is no doubt. We have the faculties for knowing the past and experiencing the present, but none for discerning the future. None of us can predict confidently what will happen from one day to the next, but despite that, we make plans as if the future were certain.

Yes, it’s true: we don’t know what tomorrow holds, and that’s why it is so important to know WHO holds tomorrow. That’s why it is so important to know God—not just to know about God but really know God, which involves planning and living our life in obedience to Him (1 Jn. 2: 3; Tit. 1: 16). Do you really know God? Think on these things.