These days I try to stay away from watching the news. I don’t need to hear one more angry word, one more display of rage or see one more scene of anarchy. However, last night I ended up watching the news in Washington DC and was rather frightened at the visual display of what exists in all our human hearts. “The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9) Jeremiah certainly was not off the mark in his observations. With a greatly discouraged heart I went to bed.
This morning I sat on my back porch, reflecting on what I had seen and I came across this prayer. It greatly encouraged my heart: “May I view all things in the mirror of eternity, waiting for the coming of my Lord, listening for the last trumpet call, hastening unto the new heaven and earth. May I speak each word as if my last word, and walk each step as my final one. If my life should end today, let this be my very best day.” (from “Valley of Vision” edited by Arthur Bennett).
So, what does “my very best day” look like? “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:7-8)
Regardless of whatever is on the news today or what shocking new events roll, I am to walk confident and obedient to Jesus. Only He can take away my fear and help me to bear great positive fruit for Him. That kind of living, especially in these times, is only possible through the Holy Spirit. Only He can make it possible for me (and hopefully you) to behave and live our very best day.
The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions