Thankful Thursday

Today (and every day) I am thankful for music.  But one hymn in particular has been a blessing and encouragement lately!

It is an old Scandinavian hymn written by the "Fanny Crosby of Sweden," Karolina W. Sandell-Berg.  Lina was born in Frvderyd on October 3rd, 1832, the daughter of Jonas Sandell, pastor of the village's Lutheran church.  Though frail in body, she had a strong spirit, feasting on the artistic, literary, and religious influences of her home life.

But tragedy struck when she was twenty-six.  Lina and her father were enjoying a boat trip on the east coast of Sweden mear Gothenburg when the ship suddenly lurched.  Before her eyes, Rev. Sandell pitched overboard and drowned.  Returning home alone, Lina began processing her grief trhough the Scriptures and expressing her faith in poetry.  Fourteen poems were published that year, 1858, one of which is sung to this day:  Children of the havenly Father / Safely in His bosom gather; / Mestling bird nor star in heaven / Such a refuge e'er was given.

Seven years later, her best-known hymn, "Day by Day," was published.  In it, Lina spoke from personal experience about the daily strength the Lord provides for His struggling children:  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.

If you need strength for a particular trial, take this grand old hymn into the day with you, and claim some of the wonderful promises God has given:

* "The LORD is my strenth and song, and He has become my salvation" Exodus 15:2
* "As your days, so shall your strenth be" Deuteronomy 33:25
* "Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength" Nehemiah 8:10
* "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" Psalm 46:1
* "Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength" Isaiah 40:31
* "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness" II Corinthians 12:9
* "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" Philippians 4:13

"Day by Day"

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,

Give until 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 Councelor 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.

"The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whome shall I be afraid?  Psalm 27:1



With promises like this we have so much to be thankful for!  "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 Councelor and Pow'r." Just one of my favorite parts of this hymn!  The music is so beautiful too though!  I am thankful that we have such a loving, faithful Lord to serve that is in control of each and every moment of the day! 

What are you thankful for today?


*Information and exerpts about the author and her writing of this hymn came from "Then Sings My Soul" but Robert J. Morgan