Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5

Here's a front-page headline: According to USA Today, scientists are going way out on a limb and predicting the state of California will be rocked by a strong earthquake before the year 2037.

When that story was called to my attention I thought, I'm in the wrong line of work; I need to go into the prediction business. If you're wondering how I'd do, I'd like to submit my first batch of prognostications:

1. I predict it is going to rain in Seattle before the end of 2008.
2. I predict Death Valley will, for the most part, remain dry.
3. I predict a Missouri Synod-Lutheran Church will have a voter's meeting that will run longer than thirty minutes.
4. I predict a pastor will pick a hymn somebody in the church will not like.

Those are my predictions, and I'm ready to stand by them.

As silly as those predictions are, they're no sillier than promising an earthquake will hit California in the next two decades, and my predictions are less silly than the psychics who, a few years ago, apparently couldn't predict the Psychic Friends Network was going to go bankrupt.

The truth is this: nobody knows what the future holds. We don't know if our days will be many or few; we don't know if we are going to be healthy, wealthy, or wise.

Christians who know their limitations trust the Savior. We who have seen God's grace in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, find peace and contentment knowing that no matter what may come the Lord who has made us and saved us, will keeps us.

That is the promise He made thousands of years ago. It is the promise He has faithfully kept over the centuries and that He keeps even now. Equipped with that knowledge, won't you take your problem to the Lord in prayer?

THE PRAYER: Dear heavenly Father, this sinful world is a difficult place in which to live. There are pressures, problems, and pains. These dark and evil things that beset me I turn over to You. I know, according to Your promise, You will hear my call and deliver me. This You will do because of Jesus, my Savior and Intercessor. In His Name I pray. Amen

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: 1 Samuel 20-21    Psalms 34    Luke 21:20-38

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