The Holy Spirit normally gives me thoughts for a Sustaining Word, days and sometimes even weeks in advance. Several are in my mind now, but none seem appropriate for these uncertain times. The world is realizing that tomorrow may look nothing like today. Just a little over three months ago, people around the globe celebrated the arrival of a new year. With it, they brought hopes and dreams of a better life in the upcoming year. Individuals made resolutions for changes they would make and the goals they would accomplish. “This year we’ll take that cruise then for six months visit all these cities. Then we’ll start a new business and make a huge profit” (cf. Jam 4:13). One topic, doubtful anyone discussed, was a mysterious pneumonia from an unknown source sickening dozens in China. Not until February 11 did health officials name it COVID-19.
Today, it would be nearly impossible to find a household in the world where the coronavirus isn’t the central concern. All the hopes, dreams, resolutions, and plans people made have been turned upside down. But if anything, this should bring us back to a basic aspect of life—life can only be lived one day at a time. Woven through the fabric of scripture in numerous examples is the fact the Bible doesn’t promise us a tomorrow. God designed us to live one day at a time. We tend to presume tomorrow will arrive as always. This makes it easy to get lost in the troubles we expect to happen tomorrow and can’t enjoy what God has provided for today. Jesus taught So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own (Matt 6:34). James warned that no one should make arrogant claims about what they will do tomorrow, Yet you do not know [the least thing] about what may happen in your life tomorrow (4:14 AMP).
The most important truth we can learn during this worldwide crisis is the Lord God structured life to be lived on a daily basis and designed man to depend on Him. God established a pattern in creation by demonstrating He compartmentalized time into days. He didn’t speak some magic cosmic word, and instantly everything was in place. The Lord created the universe one day at a time over six days; there was evening, and there was morning, marking the first day (Gen 1:5 NET); There was evening, and there was morning, a second day (v8). By the seventh day God completed His work and rested from all His work which He had done (2:2).
Throughout the remainder of scripture, He taught His people the fundamental concept of living one day at a time trusting Him for tomorrow. Israel’s forty years of wandering in the wilderness provided the most vivid example of the Lord’s daily provisions. When they became hungry, He gave them quail and manna. However, this came with stipulations. Israel must gather it morning by morning. No one could pick up a week’s supply or even enough for tomorrow with the exception of the sixth day before the Sabbath. If they disobeyed, the manna bred maggots and began smelling. We can be sure some worried if it would be there again tomorrow, but for the next 40 years, God’s provision was always there day after day. God told Moses through this you shall know that I am the Lord your God (Ex 16:12). Israel learned they could trust God for their daily needs.
The widow at Zarephath who gave Elijah what she had planned as her last meal saw God’s provision day by day for many days. The Lord didn’t fill her jar with flour or overflow her jug with oil. But every morning there was enough. The jar of flour was never empty and the jug of oil never ran out (1 Kings 17:16 NET). Jesus taught us this principle in His model prayer, give us this day our daily bread (Matt 6:11). Note what it does not say: give me a weeks’ worth of bread, or please fill up my pantry with enough bread and canned food for a month. Following His prayer He said do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on clothing (v25)? Look at the birds, they don’t store up grain, but depend on the Father in heaven who feeds them, and you are more important. Ask yourself, “Have I ever seen a bird pacing up and down a power line with a worried look on its face?” No, birds sing and rejoice for what they have today.
Living one day at the time doesn’t mean we never think about tomorrow. The key comes in Jesus’ command. Do not worry about tomorrow or do not be anxious about tomorrow. The Message Bible says, Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.
Sustaining Word for the Week: Are you enjoying what God has provided for you today—your family, your time with Him, your salvation, and all the blessing He wants to give you? Don’t let tomorrow control today.