DAY BY DAY

DAY BY DAY

Lina Sandell Berg, 1832–1903

"Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage;be not afraid. neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."  Joshua 1:9

It is a common tendency for us to look ahead. We wonder—what will happen next?     Because  the future does not look very bright we can't help but wonder what it may bring.  We wonder about some health problem we may be encountering.  We might be concerned about  financial difficulties.  Sometimes life throws us a curve and  we long for a reassuring word of comfort.  In this day none of us are assured of  what we may face this very day.

On December 22, 1988 I passed by Mom and Dad's.  Dad was outside raking leaves with the smaller grand children.  I suppose up until that time, I took life for granted.  In the wee hours of  the next morning Dad was gone from us in at the hands of a murderer.  We all needed a reassuring word of comfort.  Needless to say, the Lord brought us all through this, but it was not an easy thing.  At his funeral the  I wanted the song," Day by Day" sung.  Many times since then, this song would come to mind ~ knowing that whatever the day held
the Lord would be right there to help me.  He has never failed me.  I thankHim for that!
“Day by Day” was written by a young Swedish woman who learned early in life the all-important lesson of living each day with the conscious presence and strength of her Lord. Lina Sandell has often been called the “Fanny Crosby of Sweden” for her many contributions to gospel hymnody. From her pen flowed approximately 650 hymns which strongly influenced the waves of revival that swept the Scandinavian countries during the latter half of the 19th century.
At the age of 26 Lina had an experience that greatly influenced her life. She was accompanying her father aboard ship to the city of Gothenburg, Sweden, across Lake Vattern. The ship gave a sudden lurch and Lina’s father, a devout Lutheran minister, fell overboard and drowned before the eyes of his devoted daughter. Although Lina had written many hymn texts prior to this tragic experience, now more than ever poetic thoughts that expressed a tender, child-like trust in her Lord began to flow freely from her broken heart.  Day by day was one of them.

Day by day and with each passing moment,
Strength I find to meet my trials 

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 fain would bear, and cheer me, 

He whose name is Counsellor and Pow’r. 

The protection of His child and treasure
 Is a charge that on Himself He laid:

“As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,”
This the pledge to me He made.

   

        A verse that was put to music is one of my favorite.  I  find comfort in quoting it or humming it.

Isaiah 41:10

Fear thou not for I am with thee,

Be not dismayed for I am thy God.

I will strengthen thee;

Yea, I will help thee,

Yea, I will up hold thee

With the right hand of my righteous.

We can take comfort in God's Word each and every day!