WORRY NOT ABOUT THESE TWO DAYS!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 8, 2020.

SUBJECT: WORRY NOT ABOUT THESE TWO DAYS!

Memory verse: “Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past.” (Isaiah 43:18)“

READ: Proverbs 27 vs 1; Matthew 6 vs 34; James 4 vs 13 - 15:

Proverbs 27:1: Do not boast about tomorrow for you do not know what a day may bring forth.

Matthew 6:34: Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

James 4:13: Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year, and buy and sell, and get a profit”;
4:14: whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.
4:15: Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.”

INTIMATION:

There are two days in every week that we should not worry about, two days that should be kept free from fear and apprehension. One is yesterday with its mistakes and cares. Its faults and blunders, its aches and pains. Yesterday has passed forever beyond our control. All the money in the world cannot bring back yesterday. We cannot undo a single act we performed. Nor can we erase a single word we’ve said. Yesterday is gone.

The apostle Paul said, “Brethren I count not myself to have laid hold. But one thing I do, ‘forgetting those things that are behind and ”reaching forward to those things that are before.” (Philippians 3 vs 13.) The apostle Paul had reason to forget the past, which if had continued to reflect on the past, it will greatly hurt his future. He had been a persecutor of Christians. But when Jesus arrested him on his way to Damascus things changed; he turned out to be the foremost of Christ’s early apostles. He therefore, needed to put that past behind him. 

We have all done things for which we are ashamed, and we live in the tension of what we have been and what we want to be. Because our hope is in Christ, however, we can let go of past guilt and look forward to what God will help us become. Don’t dwell on your past. Instead, grow in the knowledge of God by concentrating on your relationship with Him now. Realize that you are forgiven, and then move on to a life of faith and obedience. Look forward to a fuller and more meaningful life because of your hope in Christ. We do not allow the things of this world to detract us from our goal of eternal dwelling. 

The other day we shouldn’t worry about is tomorrow. Tomorrow is beyond our control. Tomorrow’s sun will rise either in splendor, or behind a mask of clouds but it will rise. And until it does, we have no stake in tomorrow, for it is yet unborn.  In one of the passages we read today, Jesus is encouraging us not be overly concerned about the future. In other words, we must not add worries about the future to the responsibilities of today. Worry works against faith (see James 1 vs 6). We must assume through faith that all things work together for good (Romans 8 vs 28). And thus we must work by faith (Second Corinthians 5 vs 7). The more one walks by faith, the less worry there is in his or her life. 

This leaves only one day, Today. It is easier to carry the burdens of one day than adding that of yesterday and tomorrow. It is only when we add the burdens of yesterday and tomorrow that we break down. There is no guarantee of how tomorrow may come, therefore, one should fully appreciate each day of his life. It is not the experience of today that drives people mad, it is the remorse of bitterness for something which happened yesterday and the dread of what tomorrow may bring. 

The psalmist said, “This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118 vs 24) Everyday is a privilege in the life of frail men, hence we should be happy with each day as it comes. Moreover, God’s provision is daily, not all at once. We cannot store it up and then cut off communication with God. And we dare not be self-satisfied.

There are days when the last thing we want to do is rejoice. Our mood is down, our situation is out of hand, and our sorrow or guilt is overwhelming. But no matter how we felt, we should always be honest with God, telling Him how we truly feel. And as we talk to God, we should praise Him for who He is, and what He has done and can do. You will discover that God will give you a reason to rejoice. Even that day is a gift from God, for you to live and serve Him, therefore, be glad and rejoice!

It is good to have goals, but goals can disappoint us if we leave God out of them. There is no point in making plans as though God does not exist because the future is in His hands. We can plan ahead, but we must hold on to our plans loosely. If we put God’s desires at the center of our planning, He will never disappoint us. Planning for tomorrow is a time well spent, worrying about tomorrow is time wasted. Sometimes it’s difficult to tell the difference. Careful planning is thinking ahead about goals, steps, and schedules, and trusting in God’s guidance. When done well, planning can help alleviate worry. 

The beginning of good planning is to ask, “What would I like to be doing ten years from now? One year from now? Tomorrow? How will I react if God steps in and rearranges my plan? Don’t let worries about tomorrow affect your relationship with God today. Worriers are consumed by fear and find it difficult to trust God. They let their plans interfere with their relationship with God. 

Prayer: Abba Father, You care for us day by day, and every new day is an opportunity to get closer and draw strength from You. Daily will I empty myself before You that You fill me in with Your grace to function in accordance with Your precepts, in Jesus’ Name I prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!