Day 72 — Grace for Today

Main verse

“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.”
— Matthew 6:34 (KJV)

Meditation

Uncertainty often pushes us to live several days at once. Our bodies are in the present, but our minds are already exploring every possible problem of tomorrow. We seek answers to questions that have not yet arisen.

Jesus does not invite us to live without foresight. Preparing, saving, organizing, and seeking advice can be acts of wisdom. Rather, he warns us against the worry that tries to carry tomorrow’s weight today.

This load soon becomes too heavy. We use the strength received for this day to fight scenarios that may exist only in our imagination. Meanwhile, we no longer see the grace already present: the person beside us, the task we can accomplish, or the moment of rest offered to us.

In the wilderness, God gave Israel each morning the manna needed for the day. The people had to learn to receive daily what they could not produce themselves. Today’s manna could not be accumulated to guarantee every tomorrow.

In the same way, God does not always give us now the strength needed for a future trial. He promises his presence when that day comes. Grace meets us in real time, not in every catastrophe our fear anticipates.

Today already has its responsibilities and difficulties. It also has its provision. We can do what has been entrusted to us, then leave with God what still belongs to tomorrow.

Psalm

Psalm 68:19 (KJV)

¹⁹ Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.

Further Bible reading

Exodus 16:13–21; Matthew 6:25–34; Philippians 4:4–7

Suggested hymn

The Church Hymnal (1941), no. 331 — “Father, Lead Me Day by Day”

View the hymn reference ↗

Prayer

Faithful Father, my mind easily gets lost in tomorrow’s worries. Bring me back to the day you give me now. Grant me wisdom to prepare what needs preparing without trying to control everything. Give me the bread, strength, and peace I need for today. Amen.

A thought to keep

God does not ask me to carry today a tomorrow he has not yet given me.

Personal Notes

What would you like to remember, pray about, or put into practice today?