Contemplative Bible Reading

Proverbs 27:1 (New International Version)

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.

This passage struck me today. The odd thing about it was that I couldn’t decide what it meant to me. I went looking on the Internet for insights from other people. Below are a few paragraphs I found written by Warren L. Adams at http://ezinearticles.com/?Boast-Not-Thyself-of-Tomorrow&id=236793.

I learned the lesson that there is no tomorrow when I was a young boy. My love of boiled peanuts would drive me to a local store. One day the owner had posted a sign that read “Peanuts fifteen cents today ten cents tomorrow”. Upon reading the sign I decided to wait until the next day to make my purchase.

The next day I went to the store and presented my dime to the owner for a bag of peanuts. He looked at my dime and said “Son read the sign.” Once again I read the sign “Peanuts fifteen cents today ten cents tomorrow”. As I pondered on what I had just read it came to me, there is no tomorrow only today.

I think this is funny. I guess it also makes a point. Tomorrow may bring something I expect, but God does not guarantee that.

When I wake up in the morning I have three things on my mind and in my prayer. First, I woke up. Thanks God for letting me sleep and awaken.

Second, I consider if I have a headache. I went through a year where I had headaches about four days a week. I awoke with a terrible headache and struggled through much of the day. For the past few years, however, I don’t have a headache when I awaken. I thank God for no headache.

Third, I look out the window to see if my son returned home the previous night. He works nights at a restaurant. When I see his vehicle in front of the house, I thank God for his safe return.

Each day is a blessing. Each day holds many blessings.

When I go to bed at night, I thank God for a day.