Isaiah 56:12 Come you, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day… Whether we are warranted in expecting the future to be better than the present, depends upon our standpoint; upon whether we look at the future as men of the world, purely and simply, or as followers of Jesus Christ. It may be the height of folly to say by our lips, or by out lives, "To-morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant;" but, on the other hand, our so saying may involve the highest wisdom. I. HOW IN PROPHESYING GOOD OF THE MORROW, WE MAY NOT BE SPEAKING CORRECTLY. 1. It is folly to prophesy good of to-morrow in respect to worldly things. 2. It is folly to prophesy good of to-morrow just because the future promises development. If to-morrow be more abundant than to-day, it will be because we have well spent to-day, and have not dreamed away our time and our opportunities. 3. It is folly to prophesy good of to-morrow unless we take steps to bring the good to pass. II. HOW IN PROPHESYING GOOD OF THE FUTURE WE MAY BE SPEAKING ABSOLUTE TRUTH. Is there anything about which we may say with certainty, "To-morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant"? Ability to talk thus, however, presupposes two things. — 1. That we know the grace God. 2. Patient continuance in well-doing. (J. S. Swan.) Parallel Verses KJV: Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant. |
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