The Bible is full of verses about tomorrow not being promised. But when you look at the bigger picture, they are all reminders that our lives are just a drop in the bucket compared to eternity. We are so grateful to be home with family after being away for almost two weeks, but our hearts hurt for those who lost loved ones yesterday and today. We feel privileged to serve our city and county as a peace officer, firefighter and paramedic. Our heavy hearts go out to those who wear a badge and uniform with pride only to have it ripped away because of the cowardly acts during a peaceful protest.
It’s never too late to realize your dreams and start living them. Tomorrow is the first day of the rest of your life, so don’t put off things that will make you happy today. The future is uncertain, but it can be bright with hard work and preparation.
Bible Verses About Tomorrow Not Being Promised
Life is a gift, but it is also fragile and unpredictable. The Bible reminds us that tomorrow is not promised and that we should live each day with intention and gratitude. Here are some verses that speak to the uncertainty of tomorrow:
1. James 4:14 (NIV)
“Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”
2. Proverbs 27:1 (NIV)
“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.”
3. Ecclesiastes 9:12 (NIV)
“Moreover, no one knows when their hour will come: As fish are caught in a cruel net, or birds are taken in a snare, so people are ensnared in an evil time that falls suddenly upon them.”
4. Matthew 6:34 (NIV)
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
5. Psalm 90:12 (NIV)
“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
These verses serve as a reminder that life is fragile and uncertain, and that we should cherish each day as a gift from God. Instead of worrying about tomorrow, let us focus on living in the present and making the most of the time we have been given.
Proverbs 27:1 ESV / 120 helpful votes
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.
James 4:13-15 ESV / 90 helpful votes
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”
Matthew 6:33-34 ESV / 45 helpful votes
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
John 11:25-26 ESV / 18 helpful votes
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
Luke 12:20 ESV / 18 helpful votes
But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’
Ecclesiastes 9:11 ESV / 17 helpful votes
Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all.
James 3:13-14 ESV / 15 helpful votes
Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.
2 Corinthians 5:7 ESV / 15 helpful votes
For we walk by faith, not by sight.
John 14:2-3 ESV / 13 helpful votes
In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.
2 Corinthians 6:1-2 ESV / 10 helpful votes
Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
Luke 12:18 ESV / 10 helpful votes
And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.
Psalm 118:24 ESV / 10 helpful votes
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 25:1-22 ESV / 7 helpful votes
Of David. To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me. Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame; they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous. Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long. …
Genesis 12:2-3 ESV / 4 helpful votes
And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Tomorrow Is Not Promised Verse KJV
“Tomorrow is not promised,” or “Tomorrow is promised to no one” is a phrase widely associated with Walter Payton, one of America’s most beloved football stars. In fact, if you Google the phrase, Payton’s name and picture are as likely to come up as a scripture reference. This phrase originated in the book of Proverbs. Why is this verse important? What promises did God make to us about the future?
What Does ‘Tomorrow Is Not Promised’ Mean?
Proverbs 27:1 tells us that there is no guarantee the new day will bring opportunities to correct mistakes. For Payton, any injury or illness had the potential to prevent him from playing the game he loved; so he championed this sentiment. He wasn’t satisfied with merely “better luck next time.”
But there is a worse fate than missing the chance to do the things we enjoy in this life. Try to talk to your friend about salvation and she might say “I’ll talk with you about Jesus another time. I’m not into that stuff right now.” What if she dies in her sleep that very night? Anyone who rejects Christ will spend eternity apart from God.
Where is this Phrase Found in the Bible?
- Proverbs 27:1
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.
We mustn’t brag about our plans, or sink our hopes in them. God wants us to hold our dreams and plans loosely and say “not my will but Yours be done.” (Luke 22:42)
The Father beckons us to rest our hopes in His version of tomorrow. Psalm 37:4 tells us to delight in God and He will give us the desires of our hearts. This means that because we love God, we want Him to inform our hearts’ desires. Let Him tell you what His plans are…and be willing to follow. Die to self and, if necessary, give your very life for Christ.
- James 4:13-15
Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.’
James was worried that people were wasting their short lives and needed to rearrange their priorities. “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12)
He boasted in suffering because his reward would be better than money. Wealthy non-believers who guard riches should instead “take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wildflower.” (James 1:10)
We’re better off storing up “treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” (Matthew 6:20)
tomorrow is not promised bible versePhoto Credit: ©Getty Images/Arkira
What DOES the Bible Promise about Tomorrow?
Over and over, the Lord tells His people that He will do something—tomorrow. He gives His people a chance to prepare themselves. In Exodus, for example, He warned Moses of the plagues before they came so that the Israelites could avoid the flies, locusts, and other trials Egypt faced. God gave them time to paint their doors with the blood of a lamb and protect their children from the angel of death.
In 1 Samuel 19, David was warned about Saul’s plans to kill him “tomorrow,” giving the young man a chance to flee and prepare his defense.
When the Israelites offended the Lord before facing their enemy, He provided an opportunity for redemption. “Go, consecrate the people. Tell them, ‘Consecrate yourselves in preparation for tomorrow.’” (Joshua 7:13) The Lord frequently offered His people a second chance.
Hebrews 3:13 says “But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” Tomorrow might be too late to encourage your friend’s failing faith, which is an important part of fellowship. Help other Christians to defend themselves against tomorrow’s temptations through repentance and prayer today.
Chillingly, our tomorrows will run out. His promises are sometimes warnings. God’s people sometimes remained stuck in sin which they were warned to turn from. Eventually, Israel faced the wrath of their Lord. Saul called upon Samuel’s spirit, and Samuel told him “because you did not obey the Lord” He will “deliver both Israel and you into the hands of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me.” (1 Samuel 28:18-19)
Amos 6:1 warns “woe to you who are complacent in Zion.” God will “deliver up the city and everything in it.” (v.8)
What Does Jesus Say about Tomorrow?
People worry when the future is uncertain. They always have, and they always will. “Do not worry” Jesus says—over and over. I wonder how many times I have to hear Christ say this to me before I’ll trust and obey! He says “do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:34)
Tomorrow is in God’s sovereignty, not ours.
Jesus sometimes waited for tomorrow, however, before acting. Jesus did not rush to Lazarus’ side when Mary and Martha sent for Him. He took His time, then wept before the tomb. Rhonda Stoppe commented “this is the character of Christ. Even though He asks you to trust Him when life doesn’t make sense, Jesus feels your pain and grieves with you, even though He knows the good that will one day come from your trial.”
In Lazarus’ case, Christ was making several statements at once, timing His arrival for maximum impact. It was better that He arrived “tomorrow” rather than “right now.”
reflective sunrise over smooth watersPhoto Credit: ©Sparrowstock
How Christians Can Embrace the Future with Faith
The death and resurrection of Lazarus sends important messages about waiting on Jesus for tomorrow:
- Remember, Jesus overcame even death. Whatever seems worst to us now is, in fact, surmounted by Jesus eternally. Even death is no match for our Savior.
- Know that God is with us in the midst of pain. While we wait for a problem to resolve itself tomorrow, Christ demonstrates His comfort now. We are reminded to make Jesus the object of our longing today. His “yes” isn’t as important as His presence.
- Entrust tomorrow to Jesus. Jesus wants our trust. He makes many promises beginning with “I will” (future tense). Do we believe God when He says “I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am”? (John 14:3) When Christ says “you may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it,” (John 14:14) can we rest in that right now?
- Accept that time runs out eventually. Jesus used Lazarus’ death and resurrection to foreshadow His power over the grave, but there is still a time of death and judgment coming. Psalm 90:12 says “teach us to number our days.” Each day provides another precious opportunity to walk with Christ, but could also be our last opportunity to share Christ with someone else.
A Prayer for Today, Tomorrow, and Always
El Olam…Everlasting God…You are Lord of all time and space. James said our lives are like a mist. Teach us to treasure them, not for their own worth but as gifts from You. Show us how to use them to Your glory and for your purposes. Keep our eyes on the greatest prize—eternity in Heaven with Christ. Help us to point the lost to this prize also. We love You Lord, today, tomorrow, and always. Amen.
Tomorrow can seem like a long time from now. I say this as a wife with an unbelieving spouse. I say this as one whose friends are variously out of work, adjusting to treatment for mental illness, or awaiting the results of blood tests and x-rays. The tomorrow we hope for seems so important, but it’s the tomorrow God has promised that matters most—and it has been established.
Nothing can interfere with the Lord’s plans, and those plans include all believers being raised to new life with Christ.