My Joy and My Song

I got called to be a primary teacher a few months ago.  Not my dream calling, since I'm with kids nearly every second of the day during the week, but I accepted the calling knowing that Heavenly Father must have a place for me there, and I have really loved it.  My favorite part of the primary day is singing time.  I watch these kids learning the songs, and I can just feel the spirit so strongly!  Nowhere - not in Gospel Doctrine, not in Relief Society - can one learn so much about the Savior in such a short amount of time.  Each song is full of lessons.

Perhaps that's why, when I was reading this morning, two songs kept running through my mind.  The first is a primary song:  I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus.  Isaiah was describing the attributes that the Savior would have during his time on earth.

And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord;

And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord; and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears.

But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity...

And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.

Wisdom and understanding. Counsel and might.  Knowledge and fear of the Lord. Quick to understand, slow to judge. Fair and righteous and faithful.  All attributes that I strive to have, and none that I have perfected.  

I’m trying to be like Jesus;
I’m following in his ways.
I’m trying to love as he did, in all that I do and say.
At times I am tempted to make a wrong choice,
But I try to listen as the still small voice whispers,

“Love one another as Jesus loves you.
Try to show kindness in all that you do.
Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought,
For these are the things Jesus taught.”

 I’m trying to love my neighbor;
I’m learning to serve my friends.
I watch for the day of gladness when Jesus will come again.
I try to remember the lessons he taught.
Then the Holy Spirit enters into my thoughts, saying:

“Love one another as Jesus loves you.
Try to show kindness in all that you do.
Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought,
For these are the things Jesus taught.”

Such a simple song, yet so full of lessons.  I really am trying to be like Jesus.  I want all those attributes that Isaiah described, and I must work every moment to ensure that I will attain that goal.  

When I read the next chapter (based on Isaiah 12), I knew right away that an old hymn was written about it.  It's a beautiful and short chapter, which Isaiah wrote in his usual poetic style.  My favorite verse from the chapter:

Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also has become my salvation.

God really is my salvation. With him, nothing is impossible.  I will trust and not be afraid.  

The Lord is my light; then why should I fear?
By day and by night his presence is near.
He is my salvation from sorrow and sin;
This blessed assurance the Spirit doth bring.

The Lord is my light;
He is my joy and my song.
By day and by night he leads,
He leads me along.

The Lord is my light; tho clouds may arise,
Faith, stronger than sight, looks up thru the skies
Where Jesus forever in glory doth reign.
Then how can I ever in darkness remain?

 The Lord is my light;
He is my joy and my song.
By day and by night he leads,
He leads me along.

The Lord is my light; the Lord is my strength.
I know in his might I’ll conquer at length.
My weakness in mercy he covers with pow’r,
And, walking by faith, I am blest ev’ry hour.

  
The Lord is my light;
He is my joy and my song.
By day and by night he leads, 
He leads me along.

The Lord is my light, my all and in all.
There is in his sight no darkness at all.
He is my Redeemer, my Savior, and King.
With Saints and with angels his praises I’ll sing.

So powerful!  I feel so very blessed to have a knowledge of the Savior and of his love for me.  In my darkest hours, he is there.  He is my light.  He is there for me by night and by day.  If I am faithful, there is no limit to the blessings that I can receive through Him.  He really is my strength.  I am so grateful for Him and the love and light he brings to my life.

©Darrell Wyatt

 Click here to read what I read today: Chapter 21

Click here to read what I read today: Chapter 22