Yesterday, Tomorrow, and Today

By: Steve Huston

John Fletcher once wrote, “Do not lose the present day by idly looking back at yesterday or foolishly antedating the cares of tomorrow; but wisely use every hour, spending them as one who stands on the verge of time, on the border of eternity, and who has his work cut out by a wise Providence from moment to moment.”

It’s easy to get bogged down by focusing on the wrongs, or perceived wrongs, of yesterday. It’s just as time consuming to become paralyzed by the anxieties of tomorrow. Let’s file these two things under the category of “time wasters.” Getting “bogged down” or “paralytic anxiety” can overtake our minds on a global, national, or personal level, stealing from the present, today. That’s not to say that none of our energies should be spent on searching for the truths of yesterday or attempting to correct its wrongs which can affect today or tomorrow, but neither should we ignore the blessings and needs of today.

We may get so bogged down with the last election that we hang our heads, thinking, “What’s the use.” Or we may be so anxious about the next election that we put all our hopes into a political basket.

The rapidity in which technology is advancing, privacy waning, and the seemingly daily revealing that our government and others are misusing this technology to spy on us can either drive us to apathy or neurosis.

Wars and rumors of war are constantly in the forefront or recesses of many minds. Regardless of whether it’s a culture war, kinetic war, or unrestricted warfare that potentially steals our peace, sometimes it’s difficult to move forward.

Many conservative minds are overtaken with thoughts of the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) social credit score, particularly when we are seeing banks and other financial institutions implement such tactics to decide whether one should have access to their money, receive loans, or any number of things which affect our lives.

We may still feel the affects physically, emotionally, or even spiritually from the last Covid-19 “plandemic,” but I urge you to neither get bogged down with the wrongs which took place nor become anxious about the next “plandemic” with which we are frequently warned.

I could go on and on with my own lengthy list of things; each reader likely has their own trials and temptations of yesterday and tomorrow. My point is this, although there are many responsibilities we have to God, friends, and family in regards to speaking and standing for truth, we must become spiritually strengthened through prayer, reading and applying the Word, and trusting in the Lord with all our heart. It’s vital that we endure (spiritually) to the end. We ought not to be surprised by the numerous wrongs that take place here; Jesus warned they would come. We shouldn’t be surprised by the strength we receive from the Lord; He promised to keep us and make His mighty power available to us.

Jesus encouraged us with these words: “Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” (Matthew 24:4-14)

Be encouraged. It’s sovereignly planned and we can endure by His grace. There IS an end. Holiness unto the Lord shall prevail.

An article from the Illinois Medical Journal (from long ago) reminds us of the futility of getting bogged down with the past or overly anxious of the future. In other words, live one day at a time and to its fullest.

“There are two days in every week about which we should not worry – two days, which should be kept free from fear and apprehension.

 “One of these days is yesterday, with its mistakes and cares, its aches and pains, its faults and blunders. Yesterday has passed forever beyond our control. All the money in the world cannot bring back yesterday. We cannot erase a single word we said.

 “The other day we should not worry about is tomorrow, with its possible adversities, its burdens, its large promise and performance. Tomorrow also is beyond our immediate control.

 “Tomorrow’s sun will rise either in splendor or behind a mask of clouds – but it will rise. Until it does, we have no stake in tomorrow, for it is yet unborn.

“That leaves only one day – today. Any man can fight the battles of just one day. It is only when you and I add the burdens of those two awful eternities – yesterday and tomorrow – that we are liable to break down.”

We do not control yesterday or tomorrow, but by God’s grace and strength we can control the manner in which we will handle this day. In the power of the Spirit, we can seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness first and foremost in all that we do. (Matt. 6:33) With prayer and supplication we can watch with all perseverance. (Eph. 6:18) And we can refuse to be anxious about anything, “but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” (Phil. 4:6)

Dear Reader, the Savior commands us, “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” (Matt. 6:34)

 

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