Daily Walking Close To Thee

The Rev. Dr. Daniel Herlein

It's the start of a New Year, 2008, so some of us are thinking about those things we refer to as New Year's resolutions.  Quite frankly, I am not a big fan of resolutions because I generally don't adhere to them very well.  When I really resolve to change something in my life, it is usually at a time when I am harshly or bluntly confronted with the need for change.  Of course, if a New Year's resolution works for you, that's great!

A resolution usually means that we are intending to improve or better ourselves and that's always good, especially in the spiritual areas of our lives.  When it boils down to it, bettering ourselves as Christians involves bettering our relationship with God.  We have to draw closer to Him before we can be and become what God really wants for us in this new year.

Perhaps the best way to seek and find God's best for us is to walk consistently with Him, one day at a time.  Most of us remember the wonderful hymn, "Just a Closer Walk With Thee."  I can still hear Tennessee Ernie Ford singing it during the fifties on his afternoon television program.

I am weak but Thou art strong, Jesus keep me from all wrong;
I'll be satisfied as long, As I walk let me walk close to Thee!
Just a closer walk with Thee, Grant it Jesus, is my plea,
DAILY walking close to Thee, Let it be dear Lord, Let it be.

The key word here, of course, is daily.  King David of Israel writes in Psalm 55:17, “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and God will hear my voice."  The last verse of the song talks about when the day by day walk with the Lord in this present life is over.

When my feeble life is o'er, Time for me will be no more;
Guide me gently, safely o'er, To Thy kingdom shore, to Thy shore.
Just a closer walk with Thee, Grant it Jesus is my plea,
DAILY walking close to Thee, Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

Perhaps the best resolution we can make as we begin 2008 is to strive toward a day by day, hour by hour, moment by moment walk with the Lord.  When we do this daily and consistently, it will be a really excellent start to doing and being our best for Him not only for this day, this month and but maybe for the whole new year if that is what God grants us.  So, how close have you been walking with the Lord today?  “DAILY walking close to Thee, Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.”

           

Rev. Dr. Dan Herlein                        Rev. Sandy Murray

revdanfpc@charterinternet.com        revsandyfpc@charterinternet.com