Text:

‘Teach us to number our days and recognize how few they are; help us to spend them as we should’ – Psalm 90:12 The Living Bible (TLB)

Thought:

Some days can be very special as we remember and celebrate birthdays, anniversaries or other significant events in our lives. In Todays’ Teaching we will consider three days which have significance for every person, whatever their age and wherever they live. Most countries require by law three days to be recorded for all citizens– their date of birth, marriage and death. These records are so helpful when tracing one’s ancestors. The days we will look at have an even greater importance.

Yesterday

“Yesterday”, so the Beatles’ song goes, “all my troubles seemed so far away, now it looks as though they’re here to stay, oh, I believe in yesterday.” It’s all too easy to look back into the past with rose-tinted glasses. Oh the good old days! It’s true that many things were better then, and have now changed beyond all recognition. However, there are also many things that have vastly improved to help make life so much easier. This is particularly true concerning medical science. Diseases and infirmities that once ravaged and shortened lives, have now largely been eradicated or are considered routine operations through keyhole surgery, extending life expectancy for both men and women by many years.

There are two danger areas to watch out for concerning yesterday. Firstly, we can end up living in the past. Secondly, we can let the past continue to live in us. There will always be memories – good or bad, but if we let them dominate the present, it can have a detrimental effect. The key is to realise that yesterday is past, gone forever, never to be recovered or re-lived. We can learn from it and put that into practise in the present, but we can’t change what’s happened, however many regrets we may have.

Tomorrow

Although the saying goes, “Tomorrow never comes,” the next day always does! As sure as eggs are eggs, Monday turns into Tuesday and so on. We can all be guilty of worrying about tomorrow, ¹ although worry has no power to change that day, for it hasn’t arrived yet. Worry can adversely affect the present, rendering us less healthy to face whatever life brings across our path. Likewise, we need to avoid putting off until tomorrow what can be and needs to be done today. Laziness and procrastination can certainly over-load our tomorrows!

Today

Take it as a gift that needs to be lived! If we act as if there are no tomorrows, we will ensure that the things that need to be dealt with today are. Anger, hurts and arguments are over much quicker when tackled today, rather than being left unresolved. ²  We can forgive from our heart immediately, even if the matter can’t be sorted out until a later date, or even if there is no chance of reconciliation.

Today is the only day we can be sure about, for the past is gone and none of us are promised tomorrow. It’s easy to just assume there will be many more days left to live, yet an accident or illness can snatch it all away in the twinkling of an eye.

The Bible says, ‘Today, please listen, don’t turn a deaf ear . . .’  ³  Today is the difference between hope, which is future, and faith, which is in the here and now. God has something to say to you Today! Give Him the opportunity, for you won’t regret it.

Don’t carry into 2015 what needs to be left in the past. Take note of these three days and make the very best of each day that you have in this coming year.

¹– Matthew 6:25-34

^{2 –} Ephesians 4:26 – The Living Bible (TLB)

³– Hebrews 4:7 – The Message