“Life by the Inch is a Cinch”In the parable that Jesus told about the sower (farmer) who went forth and sowed seed on four types of soil, we notice Jesus’ exposition of the thorny ground -- (Matthew 13:22) “He that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the Word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the Word, and he becometh unfruitful.” The RSV makes it plural, “cares.” The NIV has “but the worries of this life...” Jesus mentions the same danger in Luke 21:34 “Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with dissipation, and drunkenness, and cares of this life,...” The NIV translates it “The anxieties of life.” Most people have a sense of responsibility. As a father, I wanted to support my family, etc. And Christians, of all people, are not to take life flippantly nor lightly. Most of us here this morning are sincere and earnest how we live. God has made us responsible human beings, who accept responsibility. But often we become overwhelmed. This daily care grows as we look into the future; plus the added weight knowing that we have slipped up in the past. As someone wrote, “Life by the yard is hard. It was Jesus who really is the author of the principle of living ONE DAY AT A TIME. Matthew 6:34 “Take no thought for the morrow.” Take no thought really means DON’T WORRY ABOUT THE FUTURE. “...For the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” That last phrase in NIV is “Each day has enough trouble of its own.” The Living Bible ends verse 34 this way, “Live ONE DAY AT A TIME.” I. Why should we live only one day at a time? Because that is all we have! Who said you will live tomorrow? You may be in Heaven tomorrow. God only gives us ONE DAY AT A TIME. It is good that God has arranged life so that it comes in manageable portions -- one day at a time. Suppose all the future were dumped into our lap at one time. We would be overwhelmed. But God, in His wisdom, broke life up into portions so small that anyone can manage it IF we take it as it is given -- one day at a time. Barbara Ryberg wrote a poem entitled “Step by Step.” He does not lead me year by year Tomorrow’s plans I do not know, And I am glad that it is so, What need to worry then, or fret? II. Why should we live only one day at a time? Because today is all we can actually handle. Matthew 6:34 NEB “Do not be anxious about tomorrow; tomorrow will look after itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Phillips paraphrased the last sentence: “One day’s troubles is enough for one day.” How true! Today’s cares are burden enough without adding those of another day. If the worries of yesterday plus the worries of tomorrow were piled into TODAY, it would break the stoutest spirit. The secret of a battle is divide and conquer. The same applies to our responsibilities and cares. Some time ago, I read an article about President Eisenhower. It explained how he could carry the heavy weight of his responsibilities as President. “...He didn’t worry about solving a problem until it was necessary to do so. He didn’t borrow tomorrow’s troubles today.” Even in the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus taught us to pray “Give us this day our daily bread.” That’s all we should ask for, too. It is wrong for a Christian to worry about the future. Matthew 6:27 “Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?” our Lord said. Worry will not add one fraction to your stature, but it will add a lot of friction. During the wilderness wandering of the nation of Israel, God gave them manna each day. His grace to us is like that. God will not provide for what is not here yet. Moses gives that principle in Deuteronomy 33:25b “As thy days, so shall thy strength be.” We can be confident of this guarantee for us in the year ahead. “God’s strength will equal your days.” NIV. One of the favorite Gospel songs in my former church was “Day by Day” by Lena Sandell Berg. Day by day and with each passing moment, Ev’ry day the Lord Himself is near me III. Why should we live only one day at a time? Because we can handle today ONLY WITH GOD’S HELP. God wants us to trust Him. Hebrews 11:6 “Without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” Going back to Matthew 6: again verses 31, 32 “Therefore take no (anxious) thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? For after all these things do the Gentiles seek; for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.” The word “Gentiles” refers to people who were living without God. They might not be bad people, they just leave God out of their life. Verse 32 “...Your heavenly Father...” What a precious word that is! We see the same relationship mentioned in verse 26. God’s people are doubly His children. They are His offspring by creation, He created us, and they are His children by adoption in Jesus Christ. It is a privilege to address God, “Our Father Who art in heaven.” Here is affection mingled with authority. Here is honor, respect, and love. A human father’s love for his children is great and unconditional. They are his children, and he wants to show himself strong in their defense and provision. If an earthly father watches over his children with such love and care, how much more does our heavenly Father provide for us. Be sure to hold on to God by faith in Jesus Christ, knowing that He has your yesterdays and your tomorrows. He will provide grace and power each day as it comes. If you look to God, it increases your faith. Whereas if you look at yourself and your worries, it will create more worries. (Matt. 6:30) God, Who takes care of my needs today, most certainly will take care of my needs tomorrow, and the next day, etc. This is no mental trick, but the realization of our relationship with God. We are God’s child. One of my dear friends in Connecticut has Alzheimer’s disease. In a recent letter his wife wrote, “When the Doctor asked John how he is coping with Alzheimer’s disease, John replied, ‘The Lord has looked out for me thus far and He will take care of me through this.’ Then John added, ‘I now carry my memory in my pocket. I write down everything,’ and he showed the doctor the small notebook he carries in his shirt pocket.” Then his wife closed the letter by saying, “Our God does supply all our needs, not our wants, and there is much to be thankful for.” One last Bible verse, I Peter 5:7 “Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.” Here again the NIV has “anxieties” for care. Will you? “...He careth for you,” literally means that it matters to Him concerning you. Bring your burdens of sin to Him and He will save & forgive you. Then come to God and He will help you with all your problems. Take it to the Lord in prayer, and “leave it there;” don’t pick it up again and be anxious/worry. When my son lived in New Jersey, his family went to a Presbyterian Church. When we visited them, we would attend the church with them, of course. They had a beautiful set-up for the Lord’s Supper. They invited people to come up in front of the altar and receive communion, but if you wanted to remain in the pews an Elder would come and serve you. Well, all these years I have sat in a pew and received the elements of communion, so I didn’t feel comfortable going up front. When the Elder came and offered me the bread and grape juice, representing the Lord’s body and blood (and His sacrifice on the Cross), he said, “May God be with you.” I responded with the same words and got all choked up -- for I thought, if God is with me, what else do I need?!! Be not dismayed whate’er betide, God will take care of you, “Cast all your cares upon Him; for He careth for you.”. A. Theodore Ekholm, January 11, 2004 |
