What If Tomorrow Never Comes?

“Don’t boast about tomorrow, for you don’t know what a day might bring.”— Proverbs 27:1 (CSB)

“Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring, what your life will be! For you are like vapor that appears for a little while, then vanishes.”— James 4:14 (CSB)

Father, thank You for the gift of this day.

We opened our eyes this morning because You allowed us to see another day, a day we had no guarantee would come.

Forgive us for the times we have treated tomorrow as though it were promised. Forgive us for putting off the words we should have spoken, the forgiveness we should have offered, the people we should have loved, the work we should have done, and the things You have called us to do.

Lord, teach us to number our days so that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Help us not to live afraid of tomorrow, but fully alive today.

As we share this devotional, remind us that life is precious, time is valuable, and every day You give us is an opportunity to glorify You.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

What If Tomorrow Never Comes?

Most of us live as though tomorrow has already been placed on the calendar with our name on it.

I’ll call them tomorrow.

I’ll apologize tomorrow.

I’ll start tomorrow.

I’ll spend time with my family tomorrow.

I’ll get serious about God tomorrow.

I’ll do what God has been telling me to do tomorrow.

But as I think about my own life, I have to admit something:

I often lived as though tomorrow was waiting for me.

As though tomorrow would patiently stand there until I finished with today.

As though the people I loved would always be there tomorrow.

As though there would always be another opportunity to make the call, take the trip, repair the relationship, pursue the dream, obey God, or say the words that needed to be said.

But tomorrow has never made that promise to any of us.

Scripture gives us a sobering reminder:

Tomorrow is not promised.

James describes our lives as a vapor. Think about the steam rising from a cup of hot coffee. For a moment you can see it clearly. Then, almost without noticing, it disappears.

James says that is what life is like.

Here for a little while.

Then gone.

That truth isn't meant to make us fearful. It is meant to make us intentional.

The question is not simply:

“What if tomorrow never comes?”

Perhaps the more important question is:

“If tomorrow never comes, what should I do today?”

"If tomorrow never comes, make sure you are satified with the way today ended."

Don't Leave Today's Business for Tomorrow

There are some things we keep postponing that God may be telling us to handle today.

Someone needs to hear:

“I love you.”

Someone needs to hear:

“I forgive you.”

Someone needs to hear:

“I'm sorry.”

Someone needs to hear:

“Thank you.”

Someone needs encouragement.

Someone needs a phone call.

Someone needs your presence.

And somewhere there may be an assignment God has placed before you that you keep saying you will begin someday.

The danger with someday is that someday isn't on the calendar.

There is Monday.

Tuesday.

Wednesday.

Thursday.

Friday.

Saturday.

Sunday.

But there is no day called Someday.

God has given us today.

The Phone Call You Keep Postponing

Imagine that for several days you have been thinking about calling someone.

Maybe it's an old friend.

A family member.

Someone you've had a disagreement with.

Someone God simply keeps placing on your heart.

You think:

"I'll call them tomorrow."

Tomorrow comes and life gets busy.

"I'll call this weekend."

The weekend passes.

Then one day you receive a phone call—but it isn't from them.

It's about them.

Suddenly the conversation you intended to have is no longer possible.

Most of us have experienced some version of this.

And inevitably we think:

“I wish I had called.”

That's why when God places someone strongly on your heart, don't always assume you can deal with it later.

Make the call.

Send the message.

Say the words.

Make the visit.

Sometimes what feels like an interruption may actually be a divine appointment.

Live Today With No Important Regrets

Before this day ends, ask yourself:

1.Is there someone I need to call?

2.Is there someone I need to forgive?

3.Is there someone I need to ask to forgive me?

4.Is there someone I need to encourage?

5.Is there something God has told me to do that I keep postponing?

6.If this were my last ordinary day, would the people closest to me know that I love them?

7.Most importantly, am I right with God?

Don't merely think about your answers.

Act on one of them today.

The Spiritual Question

“What if tomorrow never comes?” ultimately brings us to something deeper than unfinished projects or missed conversations.

It brings us to eternity.

Jesus told the story of a wealthy man who had accumulated so much that he decided to build bigger barns. He believed he had plenty stored away for many years.

But God said:

“Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee.” — Luke 12:20

The man's problem wasn't that he planned.

His problem was that he planned for everything except eternity.

We prepare for retirement.

We prepare for vacations.

We prepare for emergencies.

We prepare wills.

We prepare investments.

We prepare our homes.

But have we prepared our souls?

If tomorrow never comes, the most important question isn't:

Did I finish everything?

It is:

Do I know Jesus?

We don't know whether tomorrow will come.

But we do know something:

Today has come.

You are here.

You have breath.

You have an opportunity.

You can pray today.

You can love today.

You can forgive today.

You can serve today.

You can encourage somebody today.

You can obey God today.

You can surrender to Christ today.

So don't spend today worrying about whether tomorrow will come.

Spend today making today count.

And if God graciously gives you tomorrow?

Wake up and do it again.

Father, thank You for reminding us that every day is a gift.

We don't know what tomorrow holds, but we know Who holds tomorrow.

Teach us not to live carelessly with the time You have entrusted to us. If there is someone we need to love, help us love them today. If there is someone we need to forgive, help us forgive today. If there is an apology we need to make, give us the humility to make it today.

If there is an assignment we have delayed, give us the courage to begin.

And Father, if anyone hearing these words is uncertain about where they stand with You, may today be the day they place their faith in Jesus Christ.

Help us live so that whenever our final day comes, we can say with Paul:

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”

Until that day, help us make every day count.

We give You the glory for yesterday.

We trust You with tomorrow.

And we give You our lives today.

In the name of Jesus we pray,

Amen.

Suggested music to enhance your worship experience:

Shirley Caesar-One Day At A Time

This Is The Day | Pastor Travis Greene | Forward City Church