Thoughts of Tomorrow

I'm in my 70's so I've heard a lot of doomsday prophecies - none of which have come to pass within the timeframes given. There's a long list on Wikipedia, a great many having to do with eschatology - the ultimate destiny of mankind. Obviously, none of these predictions have occurred, though many are still set for the future.

Oddly (from my viewpoint), not listed are the predictions of a "Silent Spring" (Rachel Carson, 1962), economic collapse (Robert Heilbroner, 1974), world-wide famine (Paul Ehrlich, 1968) or even that we would use "all the proven oil reserves in the entire world by the end of the next decade" (President Jimmy Carter, 1977.) Could be that's because it wasn't the end of mankind predicted, just life styles as we knew them. And, that includes a current prediction - because we will not be able to make corrections to the Earth's atmosphere.

We're torn between worrying about killer bees or the death of bees; of getting brain cancer from cellphones or losing all communication due to an electromagnetic pulse; software hacking of our personal information or a rogue state (or not so rogue state) settling differences with atomic weapons.

So, what does the Bible say about all this?

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. (Matthew 6:34 KJV)

We have enough to look after today. Tomorrow we’ll have to look after then, and for each day after that – if we believe that God is interested in our lives. Before this verse, Jesus gave us information on that subject:

Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 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? (Matthew 6:26-30 KJV)

These are wonderful verses. We are to do what God has designed us to accomplish, and He’ll provide for us:

Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. (Matthew 6:31-32 KJV)

Are we willing to accept what God has for us – or have we set our own goals and desires? We can answer that if we understand the next verse:

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33 KJV)

Yep – there’s that looking to God for the answer, again and again. The Bible’s longest theme, the relationship between God and man.

I believe the world will change drastically – the church will be removed, there will be a battle at Armageddon and Christ will return, in God’s time. That’s God’s plan for mankind.  His plan for me does not include sitting around waiting for those events but to live from day to day.

Christians still sing Ira Stanphill's "I Know Who Holds Tomorrow." We did Sunday morning.

I don't know about tomorrow
.......
But I know who holds tomorrow

And I know who holds my hand