Thus wrote Frances Havergal in the hymn that bears that title. The New Year is a time that we look back with much thanksgiving and experience the excitement of what God has in store for us in the coming days. The Psalmist encourages us to turn to God’s Word that we might obtain the spiritual wisdom to make the most of each of our days --
… “teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”(Ps 90:12)
It is interesting that God refers to our life in terms of days. That surely brings daily to our remembrance our dependency on Him. It is not God’s desire for us to trust Him a year at a time, or even a month at a time, but daily recognize that He is our portion. The prophet Jeremiah captured the importance of this truth as he penned --
… “This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.”(Lam 3:21-24)
This passage is especially comforting as forgetfulness seems to speed ahead as we age. Yet, the Christian is able to recall to mind, because the Holy Spirit is faithful to bring into the memory that which was learned and believed by faith. The faithfulness of God is always new every morning, for each morning brings its own set of circumstances and conditions in our lives. How encouraging it is that we can rest in the fact that God is faithful daily, even though at times we fail to reciprocate that faithfulness in our lives toward Him. Because of the faithfulness of God, we have the assurance that our portion for that day will be supplied. How gracious is our God to grant a daily portion rather than dump upon us all the goodness of His grace and love at one time. It would overwhelm us, wouldn’t it? Day by day, and with each passing moment, I can find rest in His perfect provision. Adversity need not disturb our peace, nor arouse fear and worry in our thinking. Whether the calamity comes as the result of circumstances or from people, the believer can rest in the Lord and enjoy His perfect provision. David understood the principle of resting in the Lord even when surrounded by troubles. He likened God’s grace and mercy to a table of divine blessing and provision lavishly set for his feasting and nourishment. He could exclaim --
… “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.”(Ps 23:5)
And when life would come to a close, the summation of his days would be expressed by the words --
… “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”(Psalm 23:6)