DAY BY DAY

As I begin this New Year, I am reminded of that popular song of the 1970s: “Day by day, day by day, oh, dear Lord, three things I pray: To see thee more clearly, love thee more dearly, follow thee more nearly, day by day.”

To see You more clearly… The Bible tells us that God is a Spirit, invisible, and yet we can see Him—in Jesus, in the love shared amongst believers, in the beauties of His world.

Love You more dearly… “Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving.” I can show God my love by thanking Him for His blessings. Psalm 118:24 says: “This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” I will try to maintain an attitude of gratitude each day in this coming year.

Follow You more nearly… This can be the hardest part, but if I look to Him, and love Him, I will feel His caring presence gently guiding where He wants me to go. And I can sing with the old refrain: “My Lord knows the way through the wilderness, all I’ve got to do is follow. Strength for the day is mine always, and all that I need for tomorrow. My Lord knows the way through the wilderness, all I have to do is follow!”

I will also ask for happiness, which comes as we live one day at a time. Those who always wait for grand occasions in their lives to make them happy seldom are. I think that happiness is better found by treasuring all the little happenings of life.

And last, but not least, I will ask for peace of mind. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.” And Paul gives us the recipe in detail: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

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Job 31:4 (NIV) Does he not see my ways and count my every step?

Psalm 17:5 (NIV) My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not stumbled.

Psalm 37:23 (NIV) The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him;