Proverbs 31:25b. She laughs at the time to come.
What do you worry about?
When it comes to worry, most of us are fearful about something coming in the future. That is simply the nature of the sin of worry, and the direct result of not knowing the details of what is to come. We think that if we only knew everything that was going to happen then we would be OK. But the truth is that kind of knowledge would only destroy us in our finite minds. Knowing the details of the future would eliminate faith, and the elimination of faith would be the elimination of love.
Look at today’s proverb – she laughs at the time to come. The excellent woman does not worry about the future. She laughs in the face of the unknown. She is not afraid to face what comes tomorrow. This doesn’t mean that she doesn’t care about anything, the rest of the passage has shown us that she cares about everything. She cares but is not scared. She tries her best at everything, but isn’t afraid of how things will turn out in the future, in the time to come. She is confident and sure that in the end everything will be alright. How can she be so sure? Because she fears the Lord (v.30).
This is true wisdom that we can all embrace. The wisdom of Christ. Jesus taught us this same truth about worry, trust, the future, and the present:
Matthew 6:31-34. 31Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
In Christ we never have to worry about the future do we? God is in control of every day of our lives, and he is also in control of all eternity, forever. We may not know what is going to happen tomorrow, but we know what will happen on the last day of history. We know the ending to this chapter of the story.
Revelation 21:3-4. 3And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
If we know that this great cosmic comedy ends with “and they lived happily ever after,” then can we trust God for our provision and his providence day by day?
I think we can.
You: What are you actively worrying about concerning the future?
You in Christ: How does knowing the end of the story help us to trust God in the middle of the story?
Christ in you: How can you actively replace fear with trust today?
Pray: Jesus, I don’t have to worry about what’s coming because you are always with me. Help me to care about everything without being scared of anything. Amen.
To Live is Christ 