Day by Day | Hymn25

1865 | Carolina Sandell

Carolina Sandell, known fondly as “the Swedish Fanny Crosby” was a prolific hymn writer, authoring 650 hymns. One hymn made its way through translation into popularity in the united states. written following a great tragedy in Carolina’s life, this hymn reminds us of the value of time as a gift of God as we learn to trust him in this lifelong journey of grief.

Grief and hardship are understandably experiences that we want to avoid and escape. Yet they are nevertheless a part of this life. Our God may not offer immunity or an easy escape, but He does offer His peace and rest in Jesus (Matthew 11:28). We find it through His ever-present Spirit, through the encouragement of the saints, an din the comfort of His promises. There will be ultimate rest and peace from these trials and toils (Hebrews 4:9-11).

May the words from Carolina connect her grief with yours. You are not alone. God has given His Spirit and the encouragement of those who have gone before us and endured their own pain through faithful practices of trust in God.

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,
Gives unto each day what He deems best,
Lovingly its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.

Every 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.

Help me then, in every tribulation,
So to trust Thy promises, O Lord,
That I lose not faith’s sweet consolation,
Offered me within Thy 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 with Christ the Lord I stand.

Source: “Day By Day” (English text of Blott en dag), translated by A. L. Skoog, author Carolina Sandell Berg, featured on Hymnary.org