TEXT: Luke 12:16-21
"Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops. ’Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’ “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”
YOUR LIFE IS IN GOD'S HAND
Yesterday is a memory. Today is in your hands. Tomorrow is not yours. The breath in you is not yours. The body your carry about is but a tent. Your material acquisitions, knowledge and talents, like yesterday will walk away when you die.
"For the life of every living thing is in his hand, and the breath of every human being" (Job 12:10). Your life is in God's hand; you are alive because the breath of God sustains you. Tomorrow is in God's hand, not yours. "How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone (James 4:15). The Lord will keep and sustain you by his mercy in Jesus name.
YOUR PLAN AND GOD'S PLAN
The story of the rich man as told by Jesus in Luke 12 teaches us that acquiring riches and living your life without any regard for the owner of life will always end in futility. It is very important to plan for the future, but every plan should acknowledge God as the one with the original plan for your life. "For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." The rich man had a wonderful plan, but he had no tangible relationship with God. After outlining his plans, he felt satisfied and proud of himself. It was a great plan, but God was not in his plans. He slept that night with a smile on his face. The next morning, he was no more. His breath was gone. Jesus then told his listeners: "This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God...But seek his kingdom, and these
things will be given to you as well" (Luke 12:21,31 NIV). Seeking to please God should be the first priority of every human. It is even more gratifying to note that when we put God first, he supplies all we need on a daily basis. The Lord is your shepherd, you shall not lack any good thing in Jesus name.
Tomorrow is not yours, it belongs to God to either give or take.
YOUR LIFE IS TODAY
The story of the rich man and Lazarus illustrates that the life we live today determines our tomorrow (Luke 16:20-24). You are alive today, yesterday is gone; strive to live a life that puts a smile on God's face. "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created" (Rev 4:11). You cannot give God pleasure in the grave, it is only the living that can praise God. Tomorrow is not yours, live to please God today. The rich man treated poor Lazarus without any regard for God. He fed sumptuously while Lazarus, his poor and sick neighbour fed on crumbs. He forgot that the judgment of God. When he died, he awoke in hellfire. There is a greater tomorrow waiting for us. The day of judgment is tomorrow. It is the life you live today that will determine how that tomorrow will be. Your life is today, not yesterday, not tomorrow. Live one day at a time.
Ananias and Saphirra were in the household of faith. One day, they conspired to lie to the church and the Holy Spirit. It was their last day. Their tomorrow was sealed that day and their yesterday was but a memory (Acts 5:1-10). Our walk with God is a daily work of faith and righteousness. We need the grace of God to live daily to please him. Tomorrow is waiting for us. The mercy of God will speak for us in Jesus name.
PRAYER:
Father, let my tomorrow be alright. Grant me grace to live everyday in the consciousness of your presence in Jesus name.
CONFESSION:
My tomorrow is in the hands of God.
God bless you. Shalom.
