A doctor was once asked by a patient who had met with a serious accident:"Doctor, how long
will I have to lie here?" The answer, "Only a day at a time," taught the patient a precious lesson.

The same lesson God taught His people, and the people of all ages since, through the method of
His provision for Israel during their wilderness journey:"The day’s portion in
its day"(Exodus 16:4, marg.). Day by day the manna fell, enough for each day, and no more and
no less.

So God promises us_not "as thy weeks," or "as thy months," but_"as thy days, so shall thy
strength be" (Deut. 33:25). And that means Monday’s grace for Monday, and Tuesday’s grace
for Tuesday, and so on through the week. Why, then, borrow trouble for the future? We are
especially told by the Lord, "Take therefore no thought for the morrow:for the morrow shall take
thought for the things of itself" (Matt. 6:34). The true rule_the life of faith_is to live by the day,
to live a life of trust.

The law of divine grace is "Sufficient unto the day." The law of divine deliverance is, "A very
present help." The law of divine guidance is, "Step by step."

One who carries a light on a dark road at night sees only a step before him. If he takes that step
he carries the light forward and that makes another step plain. After awhile he reaches his
destination in safety without once stepping into darkness. The whole way was made light to him,
though only a single step of it was made plain at one time. This is the method of God’s
guidance_one step at a time.

It is a blessed secret, this living by the day. Anyone can carry his burden, however heavy, till
nighttime. Anyone can do his work, however hard, for one day. And in the strength of God,
anyone can live trustingly, lovingly, and purely till the sun goes down.

"Day by day the manna fell;
Oh! to learn this lesson well."

"The inward man is renewed day by day" (2 Cor. 4:16).