Our Yesterdays, Todays, and Tomorrows
The future is as bright as the promise of God. We must expect sin and rebellion to come to a sad ending like that of the prodigal son. Such crash landings are often the opportunity of a total repudiation of one path and a subsequent new direction.
- Mark R. Rushdoony
People used to express themselves with unbridled optimism. Such sentiments are far less prominent today. “The future isn’t what it used to be,” Yogi Berra once said. As absurd as it sounded when he said it, it is now strangely true.
I remember once discussing with historian Otto Scott a T-shirt I had seen which said “Life’s a [expletive] and then you die.” In the naturalistic world-view of Darwinism that is the only logical conclusion.
Today, much in our culture seems headed for systematic failure. Modern family life is often correctly described as “dysfunctional.” Our public schools, at their very best, fail to educate. Our legal system is often characterized by injustice. Our economic system is based on socialism and the destruction of our currency.
I believe our culture is in for a few very bad years which may rival the challenges of the Great Depression. These years will be difficult and they will also be filled with opportunities. My father used to say, “These are exciting times in which to live.”
The future, though, is as bright as the promise of God. We must expect sin and rebellion to come to a sad ending like that of the prodigal son. Such crash landings are often the opportunity of a total repudiation of one path and a subsequent new direction.
My father used to pray, “We thank thee for all our yesterdays, todays, and tomorrows.” Though it seemed elegantly beautiful, I must admit the implications of those words were largely lost on me as a young man.
Too often our yesterdays involve regrets, pain, and memories that bring us more sadness than nostalgia. Our todays are often a struggle for any number of reasons, and our tomorrows are so filled with uncertainty we would prefer to postpone thanking God for them. If we believe in the sovereignty of a loving God Who does not give us any temptation beyond our ability to resist, and Whose Spirit sanctifies us, we will see even our past pain and failure as our schooling toward greater faithfulness.
Our yesterdays are neither irrelevant nor purposeless.
Our todays are our current progress in our sanctification.
Our tomorrows are part of His Providence for our walk of faith.
Let us remember to thank God for His grace and mercy in our yesterdays, our todays, and our tomorrows.
- Mark R. Rushdoony
Mark R. Rushdoony graduated from Los Angeles Baptist College (now The Master’s College) with a B.A. in history in 1975 and was ordained to the ministry in 1995.
He taught junior and senior high classes in history, Bible, civics and economics at a Christian school in Virginia for three years before joining the staff of Chalcedon in 1978. He was the Director of Chalcedon Christian School for 14 years while teaching full time. He also helped tutor all of his children through high school.
In 1998, he became the President of Chalcedon and Ross House Books, and, more recently another publishing arm, Storehouse Press. Chalcedon and its subsidiaries publish many titles plus CDs, mp3s, and an extensive online archive at www.chalcedon.edu. His biography of his father will be published later this year (2024).
He has written scores of articles for Chalcedon’s publications, both the Chalcedon Report and Faith for all of Life. He was a contributing author to The Great Christian Revolution (1991). He has spoken at numerous conferences and churches in the U.S. and abroad.
Mark Rushdoony has lived in Vallecito, California, since 1978. His wife, Darlene, and he have been married since 1976. His youngest son still resides with him. He has three married children and nine grandchildren.