Read: James 4:13-17
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. (Prov. 27:1)
When I was growing up, it was customary for the church bulletin to feature the letters “D.V.” in the schedule of events for the coming week—as in, “The Ladies Missionary Society will meet on Thursday afternoon at 2 p.m. D.V.” The letters stood for a Latin phrase, Deo volente, “God willing.” It seems a quaint, bygone custom now, and I suppose it did become a bit ritualistic, but there was real wisdom behind those little letters. That wisdom came straight from this proverb, as expanded upon in the book of James.
Whenever we make plans, even if it’s just where we plan to have lunch tomorrow, our plans must always be contingent. We’re not really in control of the future. We live as if we were, and most of the time it’s true. Until suddenly it’s not. We might not have tomorrow, let alone next year, to “trade and make a profit” (v. 13). Tomorrow belongs to the Lord, not to us. Nothing is guaranteed us beyond today.
Of course, we can and should still make our plans. By all means make your business plans and vacation plans and retirement plans; block out your week, schedule your meetings, write down your appointments. But as you do, always—mentally if not out loud—add “If the Lord wills, we will . . . do this or that” (v. 15). I’m not suggesting we need to put D.V. back in our calendars; just that we should always bear it in mind. —David Bast
As you pray, thank God that we can trust him for the future.
About the Author
David Bast is a writer and pastor who served for 23 years as the President and Broadcast Minister for Words of Hope. Dave and his wife, Betty Jo, have four children and eight grandchildren. Dave enjoys reading, growing tomatoes, and avidly follows the Detroit Tigers.
