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.
COMMENTARY PEARL
For too much of my life, I've lived with
a "when-then" mindset. I used to wake up
thinking, one day when I'm married, then life will be
fun. One day when we have our first child, that
will be the best. When our baby is walking, then
life will really be amazing. When our kid is out
of diapers, then we will have more money each
month!
Every stage of life seemed to have a
"when-then." Then one day it finally dawned on me: I was
wishing my present days away. My present season
never seemed to be that perfect one I had once
hoped, prayed, and expected it to be. I always felt
that whatever was coming next held the promise of
something better.
When I hit midlife, I realized that more
than half my life had likely passed. Why in the
world would I keep wishing it away?
Today is the only day I know I have. This
is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice in
it. Embrace it. Enjoy it. Savor it.
What is your current "when-then"? What
are you waiting on to fully embrace the life you
have today? Look around you. Ask God to make you
fully present, completely engaged with the people
you see. Take a few minutes longer with your
kids. Don't see them as interruptions, see them as
blessings.
Remember today is the day you were hoping
for in the past. Thank God for it.
Lord, you have given me so much, and I
thank you for the abundant blessings I have right
now, today. Only you know the future, and I can
relax knowing you are with me always. [Daily Power
by Craig Groeschel]
COMMENTARY
We all have those days when it feels like
the world is coming down around us. It could be
a mood swing or a tough situation spinning out
of control. It might be an overwhelming sense
of guilt or sorrow. Whatever the case, the last
thing we want to do is rejoice in the Lord.
A few years ago, my dad was sick and I
had some rough days watching him struggle. Those
rough days continued even after he went to be with
the Lord. For example, I was going through some
old pictures and saw my sweet dad's picture. All
those painful emotions came rushing back. I missed
him so much and felt deep sorrow in my soul. As
I talked that out with the Lord, though, I was
reminded of all the blessed days I was able to spend
with my dad. My heart was filled with joy knowing
that he is at peace with our Lord.
When I don't feel like rejoicing, I know
I can and should tell God how I truly feel.
The beauty is that he ends up giving me a reason
to rejoice - even if it is just for another day
to live and serve him. I have learned through
Celebrate Recovery to embrace my feelings, rather than
stuffing them down inside. God has given me a heart
that hurts, but he has also given me a heart that
loves.
You are my God, I will praise you. No
matter what I encounter in life, that will always
be my song. In Jesus' name, Amen. [Celebrate
Recovery Daily Devotional by John & Johnny Baker]
Perhaps you heard the story of Bob who
died and went to heaven. As Saint Peter was
showing him around, he noticed a "complaint box."
"Peter!!" Bob exclaimed, "Why would there be a
complaint box in heaven?" Peter replied, "Well,
heaven is a place of perfect happiness... and some
people just cannot be happy unless they can
complain."
Have you ever met a "church person" who
is a chronic complainer? Sadly, churches seem
to have them in spades. These are the folks
that are never happy. The music is too loud, the
temperature is too uncomfortable, the sermon is too
shallow... or too deep...or too long... or too short.
Nothing ever seems right. One Sunday, I greeted a
member of my church and said enthusiastically,
"Good morning!" He answered sourly, "Yeah, what's
so good about it?" Yikes! Whatever he had...
I surely did not want to catch.
Regardless of the situation we may be
facing today, one thing is for sure: God made this
day... and He wants us to rejoice in it. In Psalm
118:24, a definite choice was made to rejoice. The
writer says, "We will rejoice and be glad..."
Rejoicing is an act of the will.
You and I can choose to rejoice and be
glad, or we can choose to grumble, gripe and
complain. Choosing the latter course of action does
not change the circumstances, it just sours your
attitude and outlook. Choosing to rejoice, however,
pleases God and lets your light for the Lord shine
among men.
What are you facing today? A dead end
job... a stagnant career... financial problems...
marital problems... health problems...
unemployment... loneliness... the blahs? God is greater
than your problems. He has a miracle with your
name on it. Stop complaining and start
rejoicing! You and I serve a RISEN Savior who loves
us, died and rose again for us, and promises to
work all things together for good for us.
Take time right now to praise Him for
this day and the challenges in it. Remember, the
greater the difficulty you have, the greater the
opportunity for Him to work mightily in your life. When
a complaint comes to your lips, replace it
with praise. You will be amazed at the
difference it will make in you! By Pastor Jeff Schreve,
from His Heart Ministries
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
This is the day that I have made. I
invite you to rejoice in this day as you share it
with Me. The more of Me you have in your life,
the more joyful you will be.
Invite Me into your moments by talking
with Me about everything that concerns you,
whatever is on your mind. Your conversations with Me
will radically change the way you think. If
you've been preoccupied with something trivial,
bringing Me into your thoughts helps you recognize
how silly they are. If you're stuck in the past
- yearning to change what has happened - My
Presence lovingly draws you back into the present.
Whatever you're facing, I can help you handle it
better.
Seek to find Joy in this day I have made
for you. I've hidden small pleasures along your
pathway. Search for them, and thank Me for each one
you find. Many of the little things that delight
your heart are unique to you. I know you so
intimately that I can provide just what you need to
make you glad. Rejoice, beloved! (Psa. 118:24;
1Th. 5:16-18; Psa. 139:1-3) [Jesus Always by
Sarah Young]
This day of life is a precious gift from
Me. Treat it as the treasure it is by
prayerfully prioritizing. As you look into the day that
stretches out before you, seek My Face to help you
discern what is most important. Set priorities
according to My will, and use them to guide you as you
go along your pathway. This practice will help
you make good choices about the use of your time
and energy. When you reach the end of the day,
you can feel at peace about the things you have
done - and also the things you have not done.
I encourage you to invite Me into
everything you do. The briefest prayer, "Help me,
Lord," is sufficient to involve Me in your
activities. I delight in your acknowledgment that you
need Me continually. And I want you to delight in
your neediness, for it is a strong link to My
radiant Presence. Although living in a dependent
mode is countercultural, it is a blessed way to
live - rejoicing in the Glory of My Presence.
(Psa. 118:24; 1Ch. 16:10, 11; John 15:5; Jude 24)
[Jesus Always by Sarah Young]
Seek to live in the present - with Me!
Your life is a gift from Me, consisting of
millions upon millions of moments. These countless,
tiny gifts can easily slip away unnoticed and
unused. The best remedy to such wastefulness is to
fill your moments with My Presence. You can begin
your day connecting with Me by praying: "Thank
You, Jesus, for this precious day of life. Help
me stay aware of Your Presence with me.
Thankfulness keeps you linked to Me and
anchored in the present. Worry, on the other hand,
pulls you into the future, where you wander in
barren places of uncertainty. However, you can
always return to Me by whispering, Lord, help
me.
To live consistently in the present, seek
to become more grateful. Look around you,
searching for the many gifts I shower upon you. As you
thank Me for these blessings, go into detail -
express yourself enthusiastically! This will
increase your gratitude and enhance your ability to
grasp how blessed you really are. (Psa. 118:24;
Col 2:6, 7; Psa. 13:5; 2Co. 9:15) [Jesus Always
by Sarah Young]
Do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing
a new thing! As you begin a fresh day, rejoice
that I am continually working newness into your
life. Don't let recent disappointments and
failures define you or dampen your expectations. This
is the time to make a fresh start! I am a God
of unlimited creativity; expect Me to do
surprising things in this day that stretches out before
you.
Today is a precious gift. The present
moment is where I meet with you, beloved. So seek
My Face throughout this day that I have made. I
have carefully prepared it for you - with tender
attention to every detail. I want you to rejoice and
be glad in it.
Search for signs of My loving Presence as
you journey along the path of Life. Look for the
little pleasures I have strewn alongside your
pathway - sometimes in surprising places - and thank
Me for each one. Your thankfulness will keep
you close to Me and help you find Joy in your
journey. (Isa. 43:18, 19; Psa. 118:24; 16:11) [Jesus
Always by Sarah Young]
CLOSING THOUGHT
The day begins with that first moment of
consciousness when you're still in bed with the covers
pulled over you. Before you even open your eyes,
you begin to deal with the reality of a new day.
Those brief moments are important. Even as your
mind emerges from the fog of sleep, you have the
opportunity to set your course for the rest of the day.
You could let your thoughts drift,
thinking about aches and pains, deadlines and
pressures, and getting your first cup of coffee. But
you could also repeat Psalm 118:24, reminding
yourself that this day of life is a gift from God,
that He has all the resources you need for
whatever you may face, and that He is worthy of your
thanks and praise.
Dear Lord, how wise this psalmist is!
Just as the sun clears the horizon, he is already
declaring truth - and stating his firm intention to be
positive and joyful. I, too, praise You for the
miracle of life and for another opportunity to honor
You and to walk by faith in a world that rejects
You. I'm so very glad to be alive in Jesus
Christ. [A Spectacle of Glory by Joni Eareckson Tada
and Larry Libby]
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2015/20150523-2055.html
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2004/20041029-1002.html
EXCELLENT VIDEO SERIES ON 28 REVELATIONS OF
JESUS
1st of 28: Divine Dining:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_7j1QIKqmY
2nd of 28: Pictures of the Divine:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lNI-OQ7-eQ
3rd of 28: A Dirty Bible:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMkPvBuuFd4
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
