Live for today
This fresh set of Daily Devotions is being provided for our LCA/NZ family, friends and visitors to help us to keep our eyes on Jesus as we face unsettling times. They can be used by families and individuals as part of the LCA/NZ’s Church@Home resources to encourage us and build trust in our Heavenly Father during this season of uncertainty and isolation.
Click here for your printable verse to carry with you today.
LIVE FOR TODAY
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own (Matthew 6:34).
Modern society thrives on creating, constructing and preparing for the future. We like the comfort of predictability. We like to be in control.
The COVID-19 pandemic has robbed us of control. It has robbed us of confidence and certainty. It has robbed us of abundance. (Yes, I’m referring to rice, pasta and toilet paper.) It has robbed me of travel plans and precious time with my sister in her home on the tiny island of Mabul. It is robbing us of the ability to create, construct and prepare for our future.
Jesus tells us to not worry about the future. Author Sarah Young writes that this is not a suggestion, but Jesus’ command. She illustrates that God divided time into days and nights so we would have manageable portions of life to handle. When we live in today but worry about tomorrow, we wear a burden greater than God intended.
That’s not to say we shouldn’t consider our future. When he made us in his image, God gifted us with an intellect that we should use to his glory. So it’s appropriate to have a vision, to strategise and prepare, and to actively support the quest for a COVID-19 cure. However, there’s no need to commit emotional energy to the future. God gives us everything we need for today, and we can live in peace knowing he will do so again tomorrow.
Today is where we are, and today is where we need to be.
Father, we are easily burdened. We can do a lot in our own strength but, when we draw on your strength and power, we can do even more. So let your joy be our strength. We commit tomorrow to you, knowing you will equip us when we get there. Amen.
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