THANKS FOR TODAY

Today is the only day we have right now. We cannot relive yesterday nor can we pre-live
tomorrow. However, we can be robbed of today. It is easy to dwell in the past and rummage through
good memories and even mull over bad ones. Frequently, we can even project our joys into the future
without savoring our present circumstance. So often, today, is more endured than enjoyed, overlooked
rather than overseen.

Psalm 118 begins, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” Then the
Psalmist concludes with these words, “You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I
will exalt you. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” (vv. 28-29) Living a life
of gratitude becomes a definite goal but also is to be lived out each day.

Living a life of gratitude requires us to live for today, be strong today and today is a day of
decision.

DAY TO LIVE

Recognizing the goodness and love of God, today is a gift. We understand that life is too short to
be little. The fruits of the Spirit are to lived out in our lives such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Gal. 5:22) We no longer need to pursue happiness;
these are gifts of God.

Days, those 24 hours, are extremely important. One day God created man after His own
likeness. Then another day, He took man’s rib and a woman, a help mate, came into existence. What an
important day it was when the angel passed over the homes in Egypt which had blood on the door-post
and the oldest boy’s life was spared. Israel would forever remember the day they crossed over of the
Jordan River. The day had been prophesied for centuries about the Son of God being born of a virgin.
That day occurred! All of heaven must have burst out with praise when Jesus arose victoriously from the
grave. Then at Pentecost, Peter preached and thousands responded to the invitation to accept the Lord
and the church was established.

As a nation we commemorate our independence with fire-works and rejoicing. Celebrations and
festivities happen as it is remembered that the wars have ceased such as the Civil War, World Wars, the
Cold War and Viet Nam. Memorial Day becomes eventful as honor is given to those who have given so
much for our freedom – even death.
 Individually, days are lived and remembered. It was on a Sunday morning when a doctor
reported to me that we had a healthy baby boy. We had been told that our baby would likely be
deformed because of an illness my wife had had. Three doctors said they would sign for us to have an
abortion. That was before abortion was legalized. Years later, it was such a joy when we received our
daughter who was adopted! She was three years old at that time and her middle name was ‘Joy’. She
has lived up to her name. Dates are remembered such as the day of our baptism, marriage and the list
could go on. Each day is precious!

Question: Note some days which are important to you and your family. How do you celebrate them?

DAY TO BE STRONG

Having found the meaning of life, we find strength which provides stability throughout the day.
Moses blessed the tribes of Israel which is recorded in Deuteronomy. When he blessed Asher, he said,
“The bolts of your gates will be iron and bronze, and your strength will equal your days.”(33:25) Because
of the strength we receive from our Creator, He provides stability and guidance for each day. Barbara
Bush, wife of former president George H. W. Bush, made this statement to her son before she died, “I
believe in Jesus and He is my Savior, and I have no fear of death.” This suggests a strong and deep-
rooted faith.

As we face the trials of life, we need to face them as a boy who fell into a barrel of molasses
while visiting a country store. Looking up, he said, “Oh, Lord, make my tongue worthy of this occasion.”
Drugs and alcohol are not needed to bolster life. We are invited to this promise, “God is our refuge and
strength, an ever present help in trouble.” (Psa. 46:1) As Jesus was praying in the garden before being
taken by the soldiers, He said, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I
will, but as you will.” (Mtt. 25:39)

The Apostle Paul discovered the strength the Lord gives as he lamented the thorn in his flesh
which was not taken away. Through this experience the Lord gave these words, “My grace is sufficient
for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (II Cor. 12:9) Paul found his strength each day from
the Lord and so can we.

Our strength and wisdom comes from the Lord. The story is told of a Christian farmer who was
spending a day in a large city. Entering a restaurant for his noon meal, he found a table near a group of
young men. When his meal was served, he quietly, with bowed head, gave thanks for the food before
him. The young men, observing this, thought they would ridicule and embarrass the old gentleman. One
called out in a loud voice: “Hey, farmer, does everyone do that where you live?” The old man looked at
the callow youth and calmly said, “No, son, the pigs don’t.”

Question: In what ways can we courageously and boldly show our faith?

DAY TO DECIDE

We tend to want to put decisions off to the days ahead. Joshua expresses this decision-making
process with the children of Israel as he says, “But if serving the Lord seems to be undesirable to you,
then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.” Then he concludes his decision with these
words, “But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (24:15)This choice undergirds all other
decisions.

There is a familiar tale told of a strategy meeting of the devils who were discussing the best way
to thwart the cause of Christ on the earth. The winning idea was: tell the people to decide tomorrow.
Tomorrow will be soon enough. Another said, “Satan doesn’t care how spiritual your intentions may be
as long as they’re focused on tomorrow.” Robert Schuller observed, “A small decision now can change
all your tomorrows.”

Today is the day made by our Lord and it is time to live fully for Christ, to be strong in our faith
and convictions, and to decide now without reservations to live for Christ. Today is the day for thanks-
living! Questions need to be answered like “O God, If not us, who? If not here, where? And if not now,
when?” The Psalmist gives this advice, “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of
wisdom.” (Psa. 90:12)

Jim Elliot, a dedicated missionary in Ecuador, was killed by the Auca Indians in 1956. His wife,
Elizabeth, in her book entitled, “The Shadow of the Almighty” quotes Jim as saying, “Father, make of me
a crisis man. Bring those I contact to decision. Let me be a milepost on a single road; make me a fork,
that men must turn one way or another on facing Christ in me.”

Many times this chorus has been sung which was put to music by Les Garrett about Psalm
118:24. It says, “This is the day, this is the day that the Lord has made, that the Lord has made; we will
rejoice, we will rejoice and be glad in it, and be glad in it. This is the day the Lord has made; we will
rejoice and be glad in it. This is the day, this is the day that the Lord has made.”
Question: What are the dangers of putting off important decisions like life-changing habits or even our
salvation?