No Concern for Tomorrow?

The 1960's band The Grass Roots exhorted listeners to "live for today."  Ancient hedonism played to the same theme:  "Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we may die."  Didn't Jesus say:  "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.  Sufficient for the day is its own trouble"?  Wait!  Jesus is discussing worry and anxiety over the future.  No sense doing that.  There's enough to focus upon today. We'll deal with tomorrow, tomorrow.

Hezekiah's response to news that Babylon will carry away the riches of Judah is troubling.  Excited that emissaries from this far off power came to inquire about his health and bring him a present, the king opened up the vaults, the armory and all the storehouse of the land to these distant visitors.  Nothing in his palace was kept secret from them.  Isaiah inquires about the visitors and then delivers bad news.  The Babylonians will return and take everything they have seen.  Even some of Hezekiah's sons would become eunuchs in service to the king of Babylon.  Hezekiah's response?  "The word of the Lord that you have spoken is good."  For he thought, "There will be peace and security in my days" (Isaiah 39:8).

All of God's Word is good.  The law as well as the gospel.  It is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Hezekiah confesses the truth.  The words of the prophets are good, even in pronouncing judgment.  When judgment leads to repentance forgiveness flows freely.  Yet, forgiveness does not free one from temporal, earthly consequences for their actions. Hezekiah understands that as the consequences for his actions are detailed. The solace that he takes from the judgment is selfish.  "There will be peace and security in my days" (Isaiah 39:8).

Is Hezekiah really much different than you and me?  Many people believe history began the day that they were born and ends the day that they die.  Nothing else matters.  What happened before is boring and what comes after doesn't matter..  Sing another chorus of "Let's Live for Today!"  Hedonism is alive and well in Western Civilization.  As long as we have peace and security today, do we care about the world we leave behind for our children, grandchildren and posterity?

The Christian faith operates with an eternal perspective.  Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.  He spoke the first word at creation and will have the final word on Judgment Day.  The in-between times are His too.  Christians live knowing how the end will work out.  In Jesus we win.  That is most comforting.  The troubles of today will give way to joy hereafter. The struggle is worthwhile for the labor in Jesus' name is never worthless.

There is a poignant scene in "Saving Private Ryan."  The eight men sent to save Private Ryan are under heavy attack by enemy tanks and infantry.  The lieutenant played by Tom Hanks sits with his back to a bridge, stunned and mortally wounded. He shoots at a German tank with his .45 M1911 handgun, one shot at a time. The tank rolls towards him.  Suddenly two P-51 Mustangs appear overhead.  Their rockets take out the tank.  Private Ryan lives though several of the men sent to find him die.We remain the Church Militant until the final trumpet sounds and the dead in Christ are raised. The battle rages on though the final outcome is certain.

It matters what happens today - and tomorrow. What we teach today is lived tomorrow.  Our values are being passed. It matters more than we realize. This side of heaven results are elusive. We shall see clearly from eternity. Live with the eternal perspective in mind.  Jesus did.  That's why he was willing to suffer, die and take the consequences for my foolishness.  He wanted you to be His forever, redeemed, forgiven, justified, sanctified and glorified.

Lord, keep us from being a Hezekiah taking solace that our children and grandchildren will suffer the consequences for our foolishness while we pass our time in peace and security.  Grant us knowledge, wisdom and understanding to pass on all that you have given us for our instruction, both law and gospel.  Turn us from arrogance that presumes to know everything and grant that we may live as those who are humble, contrite and tremble at Your Word.  May Your Word may be proclaimed boldly, faithfully and courageously by us and our posterity.  Hear us for Jesus' sake!  Amen.