Published on 03/28/2003

We cannot judge the future in the present. The war in Iraq is "very bloody, messy," according to a Dallas Morning News headline this morning. Each day's news brings reports of casualties and loss. But we cannot know tomorrow, today. We can only continue down the path we believe to be just, taking each step in the right direction.

Commentary

In 1937, today was Easter Sunday. Rev. John Minder was scheduled to preach the Sunday night message at a small Baptist church, as the church's part-time pastor was gone. Rev. Minder was dean of a nearby college, and took one of his students with him. On the way, he informed the student that he would be preaching that night, not the dean. The student was horrified, as he had never preached a sermon before. But Rev. Minder insisted.

The young student had memorized four sermons by the Baptist preacher, Lee Scarborough, and preached them all in eight minutes. He then collapsed in his seat, exhausted and discouraged, convinced that he had failed. But he didn't quit. And so that sermon, preached on this day 66 years ago, was only the first time the world would hear from Billy Graham. And we're grateful.

No one in the Bible knew where they were to be in a year. Noah built an ark for a flood when it had never rained. Abraham went out "not knowing." Moses fled Egypt for the desert as a young man, with no plans ever to return. David had no idea when he fought lions and bears that he would fight Goliath or rule Israel. The prophets didn't know their words would be recorded and preached 27 centuries later.

The disciples thought they were following an earthly Messiah to an earthly paradise. Paul thought he was to go east, but God called him west. John had no idea that Patmos would be the gateway to Revelation. When I taught a college class in apologetics at Park Cities Baptist Church in the summer of 1989, it never occurred to me that I would ever step onto this campus again.

We cannot see tomorrow, only today. Success is obedience. Let's get through today; when tomorrow comes, we'll get through tomorrow. "Do not worry about tomorrow," Jesus commanded (Matthew 6:34). Our God is not named "I was" or "I will be," but "I am." We can know his help and hope only when we live where he is-in this day.

When fears about the future trouble you today, give each of them intentionally and specifically to God. Stay faithful to the last word you heard from your Father. Walk in the light you have, and that light will lead you home. This is the promise of God.