TOMORROW

“Therefore do not worry about TOMORROW, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” – Matthew 6:34

God wants you to not worry about TOMORROW; but live Today for Tomorrow, knowing that Yesterday is gone forever! Jesus said to the woman caught in the act of adultery: “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go your way. From now on sin no more” (Jh.8:10-11). She could never reverse the sin she had committed. It was locked in time, and she could never go back to change the events, any more than we can. As Mike Murdoch says, “the waves of yesterday’s disobedience will splash on the shores of tomorrow for a season”; yet the Lord Jesus Christ makes the difference. He is saying, “What is done is done. From now on live a life that will not lead to those previous sins. Yesterday is gone forever; live today for tomorrow!” This doesn't mean that you forget that you sinned, but that you acknowledge the errors of your ways, resolving in your heart never to do them again. Receive a fresh beginning and thrilling tomorrow: “old things have passed away; behold all things have become new” (2Cor.5:17).

God doesn’t want you to worry about the past, but to maximize today, and live for tomorrow. John 12:1-8 illustrates the difference between living for the future and being concerned about the past. Martha was concerned with the here and now, and didn’t look very far into the future, even though she knew Jesus as her Messiah. Lazarus, on the other hand, wanted to be filled with all he could receive from Jesus, so that His wisdom would carry him from the present into the future. Mary was a very emotional woman who recognized the sins in her own life, but above all, trusted in the Lord for her future. She didn’t care about the value of her possessions, or about seemingly making a fool of herself by displaying her faith; so she anointed Jesus’ feet with the most valuable thing she had. This was her way of pouring her passion for her Lord today, in preparation for tomorrow. Judas was totally self-centred and lived only for the present. He didn’t care about the Lord, or any person. Jesus, understanding what was happening, countered the words of Judas, so that others would not lose their forward vision.

Although you cannot live tomorrow today, you can, by faith in the Lord, live for tomorrow. Paul said: “forgetting those things which are behind and reaching FORWARD to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil.3:13-14). In this epistle, Paul expressed in words his own feelings about his relationship with Christ – feelings that Mary expressed in actions. In contrast, Judas was concerned about possessions, and he died without them or Christ. Mary and Paul were less concerned about possessions. They enjoyed what they had for as long as they had it; but when the time came to let it go, they easily let it go for the sake of Christ. Their lives and actions reflected their faith.

Live today but be a tomorrow thinker. Tomorrow is full of unimaginable possibilities. Where you are today is a collection of yesterday’s thoughts; where you’ll be tomorrow is based on your thoughts today. Regrets over yesterday and the fear of tomorrow are twin thieves that rob us of the moment. Avoid both! Worrying about tomorrow steals the joy from today! Pray about, plan for and envision your bright and beautiful tomorrow. Do not leave your tomorrow blank or bleak. Fill it up today, with God’s prophetic words. Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. Live for the joy of what is to come. If the past has been good, continue to build upon it; but if it is not, begin to build anew. You may not know what tomorrow holds, but if you know Him who holds your tomorrow, He’ll direct your steps today into a thrilling and triumphant tomorrow!