MIF 20:1 (Jan-Feb 1988)
“Yesterday…Today…Forever”
(Heb. 13:8)
Having entered another year, we do well to consider our relationship to the One for whom the passage of time has no meaning. YESTERDAY in God’s existence has no beginning as we reckon time. TODAY our risen Lord lives daily to make intercession for us. FOREVER is eternity and His life has no ending.
In contrast, James reminds us that our life on earth “is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (James 4:14b). For us, yesterday had a beginning, but it is gone and our failures and mistakes are gone with it. Today we are faced with burdens, trials, and temptations which will not be too much different in the year to come from the ones we faced yesterday.
Today we need a source of strength and wisdom which never fails in times of rebellion, hatred, and turmoil. We need the guiding hand of One who is always the same in His compassion on the ignorant, in the majesty of His Person, and in His fidelity to His promises. We can say with David, “My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of my enemies, and from them that persecute me” (Psalm 31:15).
The new year will find the world plagued with the same old problem of man’s inhumanity to man. But when our future is in His hand we need not fear the darkness, for the Lord of Glory will lead us home to light and glory. Our simple duty is to seek His will, then trust Him and follow where He leads us. The believer’s future is assured by Him whose word never fails, the eternal, unchanging Person of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.