Beech Tree News Network

Solomon said in the long ago, “Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth” (Prov. 27:1). The older one gets, the more he realizes the truth of this short statement. Many people we know and love have had their lives changed irrevocably in a matter of minutes. For example, it was this way for those who lost their lives in the disintegration of the space shuttle Columbia on February 1, 2003.

    On that February day, with the space shuttle just moments from landing in Florida, who could have guessed that those crew members would die in a great flash of light in the sky? It is reported that before February 1, 2003, there had been at least eighty-eight successful space shuttle launches and landings since the explosion of the space shuttle Challenger in 1986. With eighty-eight successful missions, why would anyone worry? Yet, things can change in a moment (and they do). The truth is it is not wise to boast. In the Bible, James said, “But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil” (Jas. 4:16). In other words, it is wrong to assume we will do this or that without realizing God’s hand in world events. We do not know what may happen in a day, do we? James teaches us, “Ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that” (Jas. 4:15). Are we listening?

    For all of man’s advancements and for all of our technology, let us never forget that control is an illusion. We like to think that we can control things in our lives, but this is not the case! We have no control over others. We have no control over disease or death. We have no control over what happens in a day! Solomon wrote, “I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all” (Ecc. 9:11). Yes, control in this world is an illusion!

    We are right when we give glory to God and thank Him for our lives, and each day in which we live. Let us make plans, recognizing that what we wish to do will happen. “if the Lord wills” (Jas. 4:15). Remember, “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” (Jas. 4:14). Those on the Columbia assumed they would land on the ground at the end of their mission. They were wrong. What assumptions are you making in your life?

    Is your life right with God? Have you been baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38)? Are you faithfully serving the Lord each day (I Cor. 15:58)? If not, let me implore you to change today! Let us not get comfortable in this life, for we don’t know what might happen in the course of a day! Lives are changed in a heartbeat forever every day.

    February 1, 2003, was not the first or last time the truth of Proverbs 27:1 has been brought home to all of us. This is just a very public example of it! Let us hear and fear!

-- You are invited to visit with the Caneyville church of Christ. Times of services: Sun.: 10:00 am, 10:45 am, 5:00 pm; Wed.: 7:00 pm. Website: http://caneyvillechurchofchrist.com Tune in to our radio program 101.5 FM at 5:30 am, Mon-Fri. Questions? Call: (270) 589-4167