As we noted yesterday, there are many parallels between the wise sayings in the Book of Proverbs and the teachings of Jesus, especially as they are recorded in Matthew. Matthew's Gospel is the most closely related to the Jewish world of the Old Testament, and Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew is portrayed not only as the Great Rabbi, the New Moses, but also as the Teacher of Holy Wisdom.
In Proverbs 27:1 it says: "Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what tomorrow will bring." This saying speaks to the general uncertainty of human life. Tomorrow belongs to no-one, and so acting as if it were a certainty—depending upon it as if it were your "ace in the hole"--only gets us into trouble. It is upon the "now" that we should concentrate our attention. Living in the now without banking on the future is difficult, but it is necessary if we are to find any peace in our existence.
That is the essence of what Jesus says to his followers in Matthew 6:34: "So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today." This saying is the conclusion of the Lord's discussion about anxiety in his Sermon on the Mount. Worrying about physical things is profitless and meaningless, because our "heavenly Father knows [we] have need of these things." Pursue the Kingdom of God instead, the Teacher of Holy Wisdom tells us, and everything we require will be provided for us. Things will come together in due time. But live in the now—that is where the Kingdom of God is to be found. That is where the risen Christ is for us. Now is where we meet him. Deal directly and forthrightly with the things that confront you—"today's trouble"—do it now!—and then let go of your fears and wishes.
Let the Lord prove his power and his love by taking care of the things that worry you.
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