Joshua 1:9 (NKJV)
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be
afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Matthew 6:34 (NKJV)
34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about
its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
I know many people who are concerned about the future. I am one of them.
What is going to happen tomorrow? What are the plans I have for the
future? There is nothing wrong with planning for the future, we should. But,
we should never allow tomorrow to overtake today. I still have Lt. Turner’s
words resonating in my mind, “Do your best and forget the rest.”
We are to give God our best. In everything we do, say, or think we are to
give God our best. Joshua’s last words to the Israelites were to “Be strong,
do not be afraid, do not let life discourage or dismay you.” He was telling the
people not to panic or be disappointed. GOD IS IN CONTROL! Jesus said
the same thing to His followers; “do not worry about tomorrow” or the next
minute. Take care of what needs to be taken care of in the moment. Joshua
and Jesus were not saying do not plan for tomorrow but do not allow
tomorrow’s worries take control of today.
God is in control! As we plan for the day, or tomorrow, or next week we
should consult God. Another memory of wise wisdom was given to me. A
friend asked me “What if God says no”. That was in conjunction with me
saying about a mission trip, “I don’t care, “I am going.” I did not go on the
trip. God has a plan and purpose for our lives. We should live our lives
according to God’s purpose and will.
Look at Joshua and the Battle of Jericho…God had a plan. Look at Nehemiah
and the reconstruction of Jerusalem’s walls…God had a plan. Look at Jesus
and God’s plan of salvation!
We do not know what the future holds. There may be no future. What we do
know is God is in control. We leave the house to carry out our plans and all
of a sudden, BANG a car runs a stop sign, a deer runs out in front of us, and
a call comes and changes our plans. We realize, what we thought we were
going to do… our plans were thrown out the window. Look up these verses:
Proverbs 15:22; 16:3, 9; 19:21; Psalms 20:4. There is a tension between
planning and trusting God. We are to trust God and plan according to His will
and purpose for our lives.
Proverbs 3:5–6 ,“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your
own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct
your paths.”