Just in time

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:34)

God’s grace is sufficient for today.

That’s a wonderful truth, but have you ever caught yourself wishing that God would give you grace for today and tomorrow? I have, and it’s an understandable thought. We crave security and it’s hard living day to day. We would love it if we could know that we have the resources we need not only for today, but also for tomorrow, the next week and beyond.

When the people of Israel were in the desert after being saved from slavery in Egypt, God provided for their needs. He gave them manna to eat, but that provision came with specific instructions:

“No one is to keep any of it until morning.” (Exodus 16:19)

God’s provision was enough for each day, but no more. Of course, the people didn’t listen to God’s instruction through Moses and collected more manna than they needed. But the next morning they found it rotten and inedible.

Interestingly, God said that he would send the manna not only to feed the people but also to test them (Exodus 16:4). He was testing them to see if they depended on the manna for their provision, or on God. The daily provision exposed whether they trusted God to be their security and provider of daily grace.

Corrie Ten Boom illustrates this beautifully in a conversation she recalls with her father:

“Corrie, he began gently. When you and I go to Amsterdam, when do I give you your ticket?”
“Why, just before we get on the train.”
“Exactly. And our wise Father in heaven knows when we're going to need things, too. Don't run out ahead of him, Corrie. When the time comes … you will look into your heart and find the strength you need - just in time.”
(quoted in Resilience in Life and Faith by Tony Horsfall and Debbie Hawker)

We are not to run out ahead of God. He will provide what we need; he will give us strength and grace to meet whatever situation we face. But he won’t give it to us a year in advance, or a week, or a day ahead. He gives us what we need just in time.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells us not to worry about tomorrow, since every day has enough trouble of its own. The grace we need today is not necessarily the grace we need tomorrow or the day after. God knows what we need each and every day. He will give us what we need, when we need it. He will not be late, nor will he be early – he will be just in time. We need to grow in trust that he will provide what we need when we need it. God’s grace is sufficient for today.

Photo by Lukas Blazek on Unsplash