Guest Post
by John Doyle
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope”
Learning how to take things One Day at Time when anxiety hits, as it has with many in these days of Lockdown, is important and God’s Word gives us great insight into His plan during these difficult days.
I was reading a story about a song written by Christa Wells called “One Day” while I was preparing one of my devotionals. I was keen to get the correct Biblical perspective on the subject not knowing exactly how the Lord will lead me in my studies.
Then I listened to this song on line. My heart kept being drawn back to believing that its important in these days to take things One Day at a Time
“You’re doing one day, one breath, one prayer
One thing at a time, One word, one step, one hope
In a coming light, Don’t try to swallow the ocean
Keep doing one day, ‘Til one day you’re free”
My wife Barbara and I are not really “one day at a time” people. We tend to be future oriented. Can’t wait to see our Granddaughter Kristen get married in August and be with our son Keith on his 50th birthday. Its just consuming our minds at this time as we just don’t know if we will be able to travel there due to Lockdown.
We are praying everyday that it will be possible but our end request is “Lord Thy Will be done”. We would love to know what exactly is going to happen, how it will happen, how long will it take to happen so we just decided to keep praying and taking One Day at a Time.
It is exhausting at times going through these days of Lockdown and does cause anxiety to many people. But when you think about the life of Jesus on earth knowing what He was going to go through He always knew the Bigger picture and knew the outcome, and He just took One Day at a Time and impacted so many lives with His actions and Words. The greatest example for us all.
God is so gracious to us and ever so patient. When we work ourselves up with the what if’s and maybes, He reminds us of our text verse above “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” Jeremiah 29:11
God knows what our future holds so we can rest in Him. We know this to be true through our many years of ministry. We decided just to BE AT PEACE.
This is exactly where God wants us all to be. He wants us to lean on Him. He wants us to run to Him in time of need and not to try and figure everything out on our own and travel down roads of doubts and fears forgetting that He Loves us unconditionally. He wants us to be at peace with the unknown plans and promises that He has for all of our lives. Remember, We are His children.
God has given us a beautiful promise in Jeremiah 29:11 as we have read above. God has it all in His Hands. God promises that if we bring our fears and concerns about what troubles us to Him, He will listen to us. Isn’t that beautiful? That the God of the entire universe, and the Maker of all things, leans over from Heaven’s Glory and listens to our every need.
God is always there, always listening, always ready to offer His love to us. We are never alone in this journey called life living One Day at a Time.
Time to sing it with me:
One day at a time, sweet Jesus,
That’s all I’m asking of You
Just give me the strength to do everyday,
What I have to do,
Yesterday’s gone, sweet Jesus,
And tomorrow may never be mine,
God help me today, Show me the way,
ONE DAY AT A TIME
In the Love of the Lord Jesus,
John and Barbara
Thank you for sharing this devotional. Blessings.