MATTHEW 6:34 – “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
THEME OF THE DAY. LEAVE TOMORROW INTO TOMORROW. Today’s scripture is the last reference in Jesus’ instruction on how to deal with anxiety. The whole portion begins in Matthew 6:25. If we are feeling the “beast of anxiety” attempting to get his claws in us, take time and meditate through this section of our Lord’s Sermon on the Mount. In doing so, the “beast” will take flight. He is no match for the powerful words from the One who conquers all our anxieties. But there is another lesson for us from this particular verse when it comes to dealing with anxiety. Here it is … don’t try to live in a not-promised tomorrow with all its unknown fears, anxieties, stresses and pressure. Our Lord simply tells us, “Leave tomorrow till tomorrow. Today is the day for battle against unknown fears, anxieties, stresses and pressure.” So, with this instruction from Him about not bringing tomorrow’s trouble into our today, let’s consider two negative consequences if we do. And by the way, all of us, to some extent do this . . .
First, if we attempt to live in the “what ifs” of a not-promised tomorrow we will drain ourselves of strength for the only day we have to wage spiritual warfare against our flesh, the devil, and the world – today. How many Christians are so worried about tomorrow that today’s battles are lost without even knowing it? Many. And a clear sign we are losing today’s battle is living in the bondage of slavish fear that robs us of joy and when the joy of the Lord is absent so is the strength for living a Christ-centered purpose – Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).
Next, if we attempt to bring the troubles of a not-promised tomorrow into today, we will be so distracted by future “what ifs” that we will miss the many opportunities to influence our world for the Lord Jesus today. The Apostle Paul warns the Corinthian church of the subtlety of the devil in this area – I wish you would bear with me in a little foolishness. Do bear with me! For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ (2 Corinthians 11:1-3). Paul instructs us that the devil “leads astray people from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.” What would a sincere and pure devotion to Christ look like in a Christian? It would be a daily, moment-by-moment childlike trust and walk with the Lord Jesus according to His Word. And when that is occurring, there is a confidence in God’s provision and Presence in the only day we have to live – today. This will prevent us from borrowing tomorrow’s trouble and bringing it into today.
So, let tomorrow stand in the land of tomorrow. As Jesus said, “Sufficient for the day is its own trouble”. Let His Words keep us focused on the only day we have to live for Him – today.
PRAYER: “Father, help me not to bring the trials and difficulties of a not-promised tomorrow into the only day I have to live – today.”
QUOTE: “If we fret and worry over the ‘what ifs’ of a not-promised tomorrow all that will be accomplished is a loss of strength for today.”