Psalm 118:24 - This Is A Day The LORD Has Made; Let Us Rejoice And Be Glad In It.
Psalm 118:24 - This Is A Day The LORD Has Made; Let Us Rejoice
And Be Glad In It.
Psalm 118:24 (NIV) This is the day the LORD has made; let us
rejoice and be glad in it.
Philip Yancey brings to our attention the journal of a young
Jewish girl, Etty Hillesum, who wrote of her dialogue with God in the
Auschwitz concentration camp. "Sometimes when I stand in some corner of
the camp, my feet planted on Your earth, my eyes raised toward Your
Heaven, tears run down my face, tears of deep emotion and gratitude."
Yancey says that Etty knew the horrors of the death camp,
still she wrote in her journal, "I want to be right there in the thick
of what people call horror and still be able to say: life is
beautiful. Yes, I lie here in a corner, parched and dizzy and feverish and
unable to do a thing. Yet I Am Also With The Jasmine And The Piece Of
Sky Beyond My Window."
Even though many of us enjoy health, plenty of open sky, and
unlimited freedom, we often express less gratitude than Etty did for the
wonders of God's creation. It's hard for us to imagine this young
woman's remarkable spirit and depth of prayer in her tragic situation.
Yet the crucible of horrendous circumstances is what sometimes
creates unusual spiritual strength.
Prison chaplains speak of prisoners finding faith in the
trauma of imprisonment.
Some prisoners have even said, "Thank God for prison."
Thousands of believers behind bars live out their faith with passionate
prayer.
Philip Yancey expresses awe at Etty Hillesum's "defiant
faith," and he quotes her triumphant conclusion: "Once You Have Begun To
Walk With God, You Need Only Keep On Walking With God And All Of Life
Becomes One Long Stroll - A Marvelous Feeling."
Heavenly Father, if I were in Etty's place, it's hard to
imagine how I could walk with you so that I'd see life as beautiful.
Enable me to gain perspective, to walk with you each moment, responding
to you with authentic faith. [The One Year Book of Encouragement by
Harold Myra]
Some days we wake up with anything but a rejoicing spirit. We
may not feel up to par physically. The sun may not have come out for
a few days. Our life situation may be stressful; burdens may weigh
heavily on our hearts. We may have experienced a loss. Unanswered
prayers may be stacked as high as our pile of unpaid bills. Still, God
has given us this day, and he calls us to rejoice in it. No matter
what else is going on, God is still God, the Father, the Creator, who
rules from his throne and declares his glory in every blade of grass,
every bird that sings, every sunrise. Think of it - every day is new!
His mercies are new. He has made us new creations in Christ Jesus
and has given us a world full of his beauty. This day is another day
to love our family and friends. It Is Another Day To Serve God,
Another Day For Him To Extend His Kingdom Through Us. It Is Another Day
Of Opportunity To Trust Him And See Him Work Even In The Problems
And Difficulties We Face.
LORD, this is the day you have made, a place of new
beginnings for me. You display your glory in all of creation. Help me to
see your goodness and lift up my head and rejoice. No matter what
happens during the next twenty-four hours, help me rejoice and be glad
in the day you have made! And help me to see even my problems as
one more opportunity to depend on you. [Praying Through The Bible By
Fuller]
I was seventeen. My dad was dead. When I went off to college,
everyone promised me life would soon get back to "normal." I dropped out
after a semester, moved to another city, started at another school,
changed majors, and dropped out ... again. How was I going to get
through the next few years - or even just the next day - if I kept
messing up every time I tried something new?
Alone in my YWCA dorm room, I searched my Bible for direction
- and cried myself to sleep, night after night. Late one night I
came across a simple verse in Psalm 118 that seemed to be written
just for me. "This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and
be glad in it."
Could that be true? I didn't need to face the next years; all
I needed was to face the next day? That thought alone was cause
for rejoicing. The verse became my mantra for many years. This is
the day. Be glad. Rejoice.
My life didn't change overnight. Dad was still gone, my
future still uncertain. But I clung to that verse and prayed it many
times each day. Life has been good, but not perfect. I've returned
time and again to Those Few Simple Words. They Always Bring My Focus
Back To Where It Should Be: On Him. This Day. Rejoice!
Roxanne Henke is the author of The Secret of Us, After Anne,
and several other books. She and her husband, Lorren, have two adult
daughters, a son-in-law, and an annoyingly friendly dog named Gunner. [The
One Year Bible Life Verse Devotional]
Every day I look out to see a beautiful sunrise, a gorgeous
sunset, and all the stars in the sky. I see sparkling lakes and rivers,
sweeping fields and ageless trees, painted clouds and an endless horizon,
and I am in awe of how big God is and how small I am.
Then I see the family and friends he has put in my life, and
it makes me realize that I am a special, unique, undeserving piece
of that creation. What's more, he chose me. He knows me. I am loved
by the Creator of the universe. It's just that simple.
Then, I realize that The Best Is Still To Come, when I join
Christ in heaven. How can I not rejoice in every day he has given me?
Duane Truman lives in Davenport, Iowa. [The One Year Bible
Life Verse Devotional]
Come to Me with a thankful heart, so that you can enjoy My
Presence. This is the day that I have made. I want you to rejoice today,
refusing to worry about tomorrow. Search for all that I have prepared for
you, anticipating abundant blessings and accepting difficulties as
they come. I can weave miracles into the most mundane day if you keep
your focus on Me.
Come to Me with all your needs, knowing that My glorious
riches are a more-than-adequate supply. Stay in continual communication
with Me, so that you can live above your circumstances even while you
are in the midst of them. Present your requests to Me with
thanksgiving, and My Peace, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your
heart and mind. (Psa. 118:24; Phi. 4:19, 6-7) [Jesus Calling by Sarah
Young]
Open your hands and your heart to receive this day as a
precious gift from Me. I begin each day with a sunrise, announcing My
radiant Presence. By the time you rise from your bed, I have already
prepared the way before you. I eagerly await your first conscious
thought. I rejoice when you glance My way.
Bring Me the gift of thanksgiving, which opens your heart to
rich communion with Me. Because I am God, from whom all blessings
flow, thankfulness is the best way to draw near Me. Sing praise songs
to Me; tell of My wondrous works. Remember that I take great
delight in you; I rejoice over you with singing. (Psa. 118:24; 95:2;
Zep. 3:17) [Jesus Calling by Sarah Young]
This is the day that I have made! As you rejoice in this day
of life, it will yield up to you precious gifts and beneficial
training. Walk with Me along the high road of thanksgiving, and you will
find all the delights I have made ready for you.
To protect your thankfulness, you must remember that you
reside in a fallen world, where blessings and sorrows intermingle
freely. A constant focus on adversity defeats many Christians. They walk
through a day that is brimming with beauty and brightness, seeing only
the grayness of their thoughts. Neglecting the practice of giving
thanks has darkened their minds. How precious are My children who
remember to thank Me at all times. They can walk through the darkest days
with Joy in their hearts because they know that the Light of My
Presence is still shining on them. Rejoice in this day that I have made,
for I am your steadfast Companion. (Psa. 118:24; 116:17) [Jesus
Calling by Sarah Young]
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE:
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2004/20041029-1002.html
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT:
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Seeking God Video Clip: http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prophecies Decoded Sermon Series:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
