Our Daily Record by E. J. Burnham

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 14, 1873

Our Daily Record.

By E. J. Burnham

A RECORD of our acts is kept in the book that shall one day be opened, and by which we shall be judged. It is not the great events of our life that constitute this record, but our daily acts. The new year is a very popular time for examining this record. Many persons live carelessly; but when the new year opens, they confess their sins, and make resolutions to do better. But all the events of the year cannot then be fresh in their minds. Evening affords a suitable time for this work. It is like settling the details of an account from the day-book, and not the generalities as found in the ledger.

We do not forsake God at once. It is done gradually. If we make religion a daily work, we may hope to have continually an evidence of our acceptance with God. If we watch against the first approaches of evil, we may so order our lives that our own hearts will not condemn us; then shall we have confidence toward God.

We may make each day, as it passes, a stepping stone to a higher Christian life, but not without a careful, daily self-examination. And first let us ask, Is there nothing recorded against me for this day's acts? In all that I have done, have I had an eye single to the glory of God? We have met temptations to day, but how have we met them? If we have given way to them, even a little, there is no better time to confess and forsake our faults, and ask pardon for them, than the close of the day. And if we have gone far from the right, and are weary and despairing, toiling through forbidden paths, “now is the accepted time.” We cannot repent too soon.

What have we done for the Master? For each of us there is work to do in the great harvest field. All are not strong men, to wield the sickle, or to bind the sheaves, but the smallest and the weakest, even a child, can glean the ears that fall. If it is but little we can do, let us be diligent; for by diligence we may win the approbation of the Master. He knows how weak we are, and will require no more of us than we can do; but, if we are idle, leaving our work for other hands, or a more convenient season, we shall bring no sheaves to the Master, and cannot hope to hear him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Are we walking in the light? It shines upon our pathway, clear and full. Do we heed it? or are we careless of the words that God has spoken? He is leading us very kindly, as a shepherd his tender lambs. There are no heavy burdens laid upon us. “My yoke is easy and my burden light,” says the Saviour. If the yoke frets us, the fault is in us, for we are told that our God pitieth us “like as a father pitieth his children.” “He knoweth our frame, he remembereth that we are dust.” We shall not find the road so rough, if we keep close to the Shepherd.

There are severe tests before us, and our kind Father gives us light ones at first, as we can bear them. He who tempers the wind to the shorn lamb will uphold us, and guide our feet. Only one step at a time is required of us, and he will give us strength to take each succeeding step, if we trust in him, and follow his directions. If we will not bear slight tests, how can we expect to stand when the time of trouble comes, that is to try them that dwell on the earth? Solomon was a great and wise king in Israel, but he did not heed the admonition of God, and he became an idolater. Said the Lord, of his people, “Because thou hast rejected knowledge, I also will reject thee.” It is not safe to disregard God. But those who by “patient continuance in well-doing seek for glory, and honor, and immortality,” will find that in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength, and, in the end, will share his glorious rest.

E. J. BURNHAM.

Battle Creek, Mich.