What Will Happen Tomorrow?

YOU DO NOT EVEN KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN TOMORROW. James 4.14.

Once while having dinner with some Christian friends, we heard about the following incident. A devout Christian heard that a ‘prophet’ from a neighbouring country, who did not know her, had prophesied something sinister would happen to her. Being anxious to know what calamity lay in store for her, she set out looking for the prophet!

Wanting to know the future is a common desire with all humans. That is the reason why we have soothe-sayers, astrologers, crystal gazers and fortune-tellers. But the Lord God Almighty strictly forbids us from indulging in all such things. The Bible condemns it. The Lord commanded His people Israel, “Let no one be found among you who… practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD, and because of these detestable practices the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you” (Deut 18.1012).

You and I are often tempted by the desire to know the future. There was a time I amused myself by reading the newspaper column, ‘What the stars foretell!’ I knew it was rubbish, for half the time it would tell ‘good things’ and the rest of the time ‘not so good!’ I found it somewhat like the ‘weather forecast’, most of the time incorrect! Becoming wiser and also knowing the Scripture better, I kicked the foolish habit!

But what is surprising is to see Christians, believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, trying to turn today’s prophets and the gift of prophesy into something like fortune-telling. They do it not so much to know the will of God but to know what the future will bring – riches and prosperity! It is unusual for anyone to seek prophets who foretell ‘bad-tidings’!

It is good for you to learn from the aged apostle James as to how you ought to face your unknown future! He says, “Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? …Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that” (Ja 4.13-15).

James as an apostle and teacher, knew all about the prophets and the gift of prophecy in the church. If he wanted the believers to seek after prophets to know about their business prospects or other future affairs, he would have told them so. Rather, James wanted the believers to trust in the Lord Himself. He wanted them to believe in God’s leading and seek His blessing, as they faced the unknown future. The function of a New Testament prophet the apostle Paul states, ‘he who prophesies edifies the church’ (1 Cor 14.4).

Pray and practise with me: Dear Lord, I thank You for Your gracious promise to me, “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it” (Isa 30.21). Help me hear You and not men! Amen.