Message Magazine’s Online Devotional for Wednesday, January 18, 2017
Listen to “Thoughts in Worship 01.18.2017” on Spreaker.
“Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth” (Proverbs 27:1).
I have been quite guilty of being covetous. When I was a child, I watched television shows like “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous”, wishing in many ways that I were one of the people featured there. Even today, while watching three episodes in particular, of “Extreme Engineering”, when they featured homes, yachts, and jets, I wanted to own many of them myself. Wine sipping, extravagant parties, and extreme vacations seemed to rule their lives. I coveted their access to the riches.
I did not covet, however, their regard, or what appeared to be their lack of regard for God.
Comfortable in the lap of luxury, they often made long-term plans to do all sorts of things that the Lord would not approve of. It occurred to me that tomorrow is not promised. On one hand, it is good to have goals and aspirations, but these should be tempered by the will of God.
James said it this way: “Go to now, ye that say, Today or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil” (James 4:13-16).
As we prepare for the future, we must always consult the Lord. Covetousness often leads people to unhealthy aspirations without the consideration of God. Some seek to gain wealth and riches at any cost. I am blessed that the Lord has kept me from that and teaches me contentment everyday. I now look forward to the coming of the greatest reward known to humankind. I look forward to the coming of Jesus Christ. If we constantly look forward to that spectacular event and allow God to prepare us, we will not be ruled by earthly devising. We will not foolishly prepare to make ourselves comfortable on this sin-cursed earth.
Pray that the Lord will give us the spirit of contentment. Pray that we will learn to arrange our plans to fit into God’s will, rather than boasting on our great plans for the future.
