Grace for this Day
Well bless your heart, friend! It’s such a joy to have you stoppin’ by today. Why don’t you just come on up to this ol’ front porch and set that bundle of worries right over here beside the rocking chair. Some of us carry yesterday’s regrets and tomorrow’s troubles like a stubborn ol’ mule haulin’ two wagons uphill. By breakfast, our thoughts are already scatterin’ in every direction like lil’ ol’ quail startled from tall grass.
The disciples knew somethin’ about fear runnin’ real wild. They were caught in a big ol’ storm, their boat was really pitchin’ up and down, and the wind was howlin’ plum loud enough to wake every one of the hoot owls livin’ in Galilee. Then, they saw Jesus walkin’ straight toward ‘em right out on the water. Instead of calmin’ down, they became even more frightened than before.
Jesus immediately called out, “Take courage! I AM! Stop being afraid!” in Matthew 14:27.
Notice that Jesus didn’t begin with an explanation. He didn’t tell ‘em when the storm would be stoppin’. Instead, He gave ‘em somethin’ much greater than answers. He plum gave ‘em Himself.
When Jesus said, “I AM,” He sho’-nuff’ echoed God’s words to Moses in Exodus 3:14, “I AM WHO I AM.” He was plum remindin’ them disciples that the eternal, ever-present God was standin’ right in the middle of their present trouble.
That same truth sho’-nuff’ belongs to us today.
We often git to draggin’ yesterday right in behind us like a rusty ol’ plow, and we git to chasin’ tomorrow like an ol’ hound dog runnin’ after a lil’ ol’ cottontail rabbit that hasn’t even left out from the briar patch yet. Meanwhile, today passes right on by unnoticed.
Jesus said in Matthew 6:34, “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.” He sho’-nuff’ wasn’t telling us to ignore responsibility. He was plum teachin’ us not to be carryin’ burdens God hasn’t even placed in our hands yet.
Deuteronomy 33:25 promises, “As your days, so shall your strength be.” God gives strength according to the day. He provides today’s mercy for today’s need. Tomorrow’s grace will sho’-nuff’ arrive tomorrow because God is already there preparing it.
Friend, you don’t have to be repairin’ all of yesterday today. You don’t have to solve everything about tomorrow today. You only need enough faith to take the next step with the great I AM.
Lord, help me release yesterday and stop borrowing trouble from tomorrow. Teach me to recognize Your presence today. Give me courage for this moment, peace for this storm, and faith for the next step. Remind me that You are the great I AM, and You are here with me right now. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Ok then, friend, the wind may still git to rattlin’ the shutters, and worry may git to scratchin’ at the door like a lil’ ol’ raccoon huntin’ for its supper. Still, Jesus is always nearer than the storm. This day hasn’t been abandoned, and neither have you. So, plant your feet deep in today’s grace, trust the One walkin’ right toward you, and quit lettin’ tomorrow’s imaginary lil’ ol’ chickens git to roostin’ in today’s henhouse.
With joy,
Gwen
