Word of Encouragement (11/23/2020)

Today, I want to share a poem that Cathy shared with me after we had a visit a while ago. That day, we talked about how God gives enough grace for each day, just like the manna He gave to Israel during their wilderness journey. That talk came about because she felt pressed down by a heavy sense of despair that she might have to live with the unbearable pain she was feeling for the rest of her life. She was asking God to give her the grace to face the bleak future and not feel hopeless. But what if God gives each day just enough grace to carry us through the day, just as He gave Israel just enough manna for each day? No wonder we feel like God’s grace is not sufficient because we are trying to use His daily grace to bear the burden and uncertainty of our entire future! Of course, He assures us that He will never leave or forsake us, that He will take care of us not just today but for all eternity. But each day, He gives the grace we need to carry us through the day, not more: “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matt. 6:34).

Why does God do this? So that we don’t become like the prodigal son, who takes all of his inheritance from the Father and go away instead of staying close by Him and abiding in Him always. So that we come to Him in humble prayer every day, multiple times a day, throughout the whole day, because cherishing His presence more valuable than anything else in the world, instead of going to God once in a while only when we have big problems. The safest place in the whole world is at the feet of His mercy seat. So, let us look to Him each day for His daily grace. “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23). Cathy found this encouraging and sent this poem to me to affirm her faith in her faithful God.

“One Day at a Time”

Annie Johnson Flint

One day at a time, with its failures and fears,

With its hurts and mistakes, with its weakness and tears,

With its portion of pain and its burden of care;

One day at a time we must meet and must bear.

One day at a time to be patient and strong,

To be calm under trial and sweet under wrong;

Then its toiling shall pass and its sorrow shall cease;

It shall darken and die, and the night shall bring peace.

One day at a time - but the day is so long,

And the heart is not brave, and the soul is not strong,

O Thou pitiful Christ, be Thou near all the way;

Give courage and patience and strength for the day.

Swift cometh His answer, so clear and so sweet;

"Yea, I will be with thee, thy troubles to meet;

I will not forget thee, nor fail thee, nor grieve;

I will not forsake thee; I never will leave."

Not yesterday's load we are called on to bear,

Nor the morrow's uncertain and shadowy care;

Why should we look forward or back with dismay?

Our needs, as our mercies, are but for the day.

One day at a time, and the day is His day;

He hath numbered its hours, though they haste or delay.

His grace is sufficient; we walk not alone;

As the day, so the strength that He giveth His own.    

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