Count Your TodaysSýnishorn

TODAY’S FORGOTTEN PROMISES

Nothing makes us appreciate the gift of today like a narrow escape from danger. When we see a car accident happen seconds before we cross the same intersection, our problems for the rest of the day don’t seem so overwhelming anymore. Or when we hear of someone of the same age dying of a sudden heart attack, we promise ourselves to appreciate our lives and families more. Until the next day.

It was the same in King Hezekiah’s case. The desperation he felt during his illness was soon forgotten. “But Hezekiah did not respond appropriately to the kindness shown him, and he became proud. So the Lord’s anger came against him and against Judah and Jerusalem.” (2 Chronicles 32:25, NLT).

We see a similar pattern in the lives of the disciples when Jesus was on earth. It sometimes only took them a few hours after a great miracle to forget. In Matthew 16, we can sense Jesus’ frustration with them. “Why are you arguing with each other about having no bread? Don’t you understand even yet? Don’t you remember the 5,000 I fed with five loaves, and the baskets of leftovers you picked up? Or the 4,000 I fed with seven loaves, and the large baskets of leftovers you picked up?” (v 9-10, NLT).

I would like to believe that I’m not like Hezekiah or the disciples, but it would simply not be true. There are many days each week that I take for granted. I make plans for tomorrow without thinking twice about all the promises I made to God the last time I was in trouble. Today often becomes a drag until I am convicted again by a close call. What a miserable cycle!

Do you remember a time when God spared your life? How did you react? How do you think your life would look if you lived each “today” with that incident fresh in your memory?

Let us take time each day to remember what the Lord has done for us in the past. And let us appreciate each day with thankful hearts for yet another today. “But then I recall all you have done, O Lord; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago. They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works.” (Psalm 77:11-12, NLT).