Borrowing Trouble

Many have a sinful desire to see into the future. Rather than not know what was coming, men have resorted to astrology, palm reading, witchcraft, spiritualism and the wildest conjectures. This disposition is still common. 

Some spend much time in these wild imaginations, none of which will ever be realized.

But in sad moods, men's minds go to the other extreme, and take gloomy views of all the future. Then they anticipate many calamities.

It is in mercy that God has hid from our view coming events.

We often misunderstand things that have already occurred. 

Still more frequently do we make a frightful thing of what is now passing before us.

But could we, with our narrow capacities, look into the future so as to tell the general course of providence towards us in years to come—we would be very wretched.

It was a peculiar bitter ingredient of the sufferings of our blessed Lord, that He foresaw all His trials (Luke 12:50). 

But we know not what shall be on the morrow, and on many accounts it is best for us not to indulge in idle anticipations.

1. We have something else to do. Our duties are pressing, solemn, numerous. If we can meet the responsibilities of the present hour, that will be as much as we can reasonably expect. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

2. When great trials come to true Christians, they have a promise of assistance according to their necessities. "As your days, so shall your strength be." Dying grace is seldom given except to dying believers. To them it is never denied.

3. By idle anticipations, we greatly enhance our sufferings. Porteus says: "He who foresees calamities, suffers them twice over!"

4. We are positively forbidden to pry curiously into the future. 

The secret things belong unto the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law Deut. 29:29. 

Our great wisdom is found in entire submission to the sovereign will of God in all coming events.

5. There is no end to the torment we may thus inflict upon ourselves. 

Seneca was right when he said: "The state of that man's mind who feels so intense an interest as to future events, must be most deplorable." 

Johnson says: "Many philosophers imagine that the elements themselves may be in time exhausted; that the sun, by shining long, will effuse all its light; and that, by the continual waste of aqueous particles, the whole earth will at last become a sandy desert.

I would not advise my readers to disturb themselves by contriving how they shall live without light and water."

Sometimes folly seems to know no bounds.

6. A good writer says: "You may live through tomorrow.

Then be prepared for it, prosecute your plans, pursue your business, be industrious and enterprising.

But be not unmindful that there is another branch of the alternative. 

You may not live through tomorrow. Be prepared equally for that.

Tomorrow may introduce you into the presence of God, may close the account of life, may withdraw the offer of mercy, may cut short the opportunity of salvation.

What if it shall? Are you ready for that interview and that reckoning?

A similar error is committed by those who spend their time in trying to discover how they shall be delivered from distresses now pressing upon them.

Mordecai was a godly man. He greatly feared God and trusted Him also. 

He was persuaded that enlargement and deliverance would come. 

He thought the queen might be the instrument of rescue to God's chosen people. But he was not sure. 

He told his cousin that at present the finger of providence seemed to point to her.

At the same time he freely told her that if she entirely declined, ruin would overtake her and her house, while it should be seen that God would not forsake His ancient people.

One very proper way of disposing of such temptations respecting the future, is to dwell much on the eternity which is before us.

What is all time? 

What are all the trials of time? 

It will not be long until every living man will look back on the worldly things which made him glad or sorrowful—and see and say that they are things of nothing. 

The wicked and the righteous in a future state will alike wonder that such vanities could ever have engrossed their attention.

Let any thoughtful man even here say, "What importance will I attach to this or that event—to this or that possession a thousand years from this time?" and he will at once see how idle are his intense feelings.

Eternity! you pleasing dreadful thought!
 
Through what variety of untried being, Through what new scenes and changes must we pass?

The wide, the unbounded prospect lies before me; But shadows, clouds and darkness rest upon it.

Then let us gird up the loins of our minds, stand in our lot, cheerfully committing everything to the God of all grace and mercy. 

We see not, but He sees what is coming, and has made full provision for it.

Let us sing: "I see not a step before, As I tread the days of the year; But the past is still in God's keeping, The future His mercy will clear;
 
And what seems dark in the distance May brighten as I draw near.

So I go on, not knowing—I would not if I might;
 
I would rather walk with God in the dark Than walk alone in the light;
 
I would rather walk with Him by faith Than walk alone by sight.

My heart shrinks back from trials Which the future may disclose;
 
Yet I never had a sorrow But what my dear Lord chose;
 
So I send the coming tears back With the whispered words, "He knows." 

 ~William S. Plumer~