TODAY
01st Sep 2021
There is real danger in living in the shadow of yesterday; the mistakes we have made; disappointments and broken dreams, or in fear of tomorrow and the unknown that we have no control over.
I believe that God wants us to live in “Today.” We cannot change the past, it is history, nor can we alter the future. Psalm 118:24 says, “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
While praying about what I should write today, the words of the well know hymn began to come to mind. The line from “Great is Thy faithfulness” I found myself singing was, “Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside.” So, are you living in today?
Paul was struggling with the “thorn in the flesh”, it was probably some kind of persecution which he wanted taken away. He had suffered it in the past and he wanted to avoid it in the future, so he asked three times that it be removed. However, the Lord’s answer was, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
So are you trying to avoid the struggles and challenges of today, asking that they be taken away? God’s answer for us all in the middle of our life situation is, “My grace is sufficient for you.”
It is good to begin the day with praise and worship, make thanksgiving a large part of our praying, encourage ourselves by reading God’s word and seeing how His faithfulness stretches from generation to generation.
We cannot change yesterday, we need to forgive ourselves for our mistakes and foolishness, we need to forgive others for their behaviour towards us, and reach out for God’s grace for today.
We cannot live tomorrow, because it is still in the future, but we can thank God that he knows the future and His plans for us are good, i.e. “bright hope for tomorrow.”
As we live our “Today” remember the promise of Psalm 23:6, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life!”
by Charles Sibthorpe
