Day by day

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. – 2 Corinthians 4.16

No matter how bad it gets, no matter how dark the night, no matter that the outward man is perishing Paul has confidence.

I don't know about you, but I can find the charge to 'not lose heart' challenging. I don't have any real valid gripes or complaints and I still am tempted to lose heart at times.

But I look around me and see Christians who are really going through it. I read Christian biographies and see what believers have endured in the past. No matter where we look it is obvious the outward man in perishing. Struggles go on. We have defeats. The battle continues.

Not only are we struggling and facing difficulties we are also, literally, dying. We started dying the day we were born. And it gets more obvious as the years go by. Though still a young guy I am becoming more and more aware that by body is ageing. My feet hurt. My knees hurt. I need varifocals. Indeed my outward man is dying. It is passing away and getting closer and closer to shut-down.

But, on the other hand, my inward man is renewed day by day. Every single day God's Holy Spirit is renewing us and preparing us for eternity with Him.

Though we are dying on the outside day by day, we are becoming more and more alive on the inside.

There is an old hymn called 'Day by Day' which captures what this day by day renewal means and how we should respond on faith.

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 Counselor 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 I reach the promised land.