Day by Day

The holidays are upon us. The “Holy Days”. The days that we want to be filled with joy and hot cocoa and time with loved ones. Sometimes, instead, this time of year can be filled with hard days.

Recently a friend of ours received very discouraging news. Knowing that he and his wife are trusting the Lord, I asked, “What’s your favorite hymn?” I listed off a few old hymns like Be Still My Soul, Day by Day, and It Is Well.

“Day by Day!”, was the response.

Day by day and with each passing moment, Strength I find to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment, I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.
He whose heart is kind beyond all measure Gives unto each day what he deems best–
Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure, Mingling toil with peace and rest.

Ev’ry day the Lord himself is near me, With a special mercy for each hour;
All my cares he gladly bears and cheers me, He whose name is Counselor and Pow’r.
The protection of his child and treasure Is a charge that on himself he laid:
“As your days, your strength shall be in measure”– This the pledge to me he made.

Help me then in ev’ry tribulation So to trust your promises, O Lord,
That I lose not faith’s sweet consolation Offered me within your holy Word.
Help me, Lord, when, toil and trouble meeting, E’er to take, as from a father’s hand,
One by one, the days, the moments fleeting, Till I reach the promised land.

If toil and trouble are meeting you more quickly right now than the joy of the Thanksgiving and Christmas season, I’ll share a secret with you that I appreciate much more today than I did years ago, when my mom would say this:

God gives us the grace and strength we need, one day at a time.

Lord Jesus, when the very real toils and troubles shadow the good gifts from you in my life, help me to trust the promises in your Word, and to rest in your presence, day by day.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33