“This is the day that the Lord has made” was the headline of a Facebook post recently. It was posted by an old friend as his family was facing surgery on a brain tumor for his young son. I have a son of a similar age and don’t want to even imagine what they are facing. I couldn’t stop reflecting on the words. “This is the day…” I was so humbled by these words I was brought to tears. It was a beautiful way to face a difficult day. It would not have been my declaration for the day, but I wanted it be my response. Many of us who were raised in the church can instantly finish the verse that he was quoting.
24 This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 (NRSV).
I was reminded this is a verse for every day not just our happy, joy filled days. Could I rejoice in dark days? Who am I kidding, I don’t rejoice when faced with dark, difficult days. I am generally optimistic but rejoicing that the Lord has given me this difficult, scary day? How could I do that? I am sure they still had fear, but they were facing it with this beautiful attitude. I want that attitude; I want to face each day with the same declaration. This led me to read all of this beautiful Psalm. Here are some highlights.
When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord;
he brought me into a spacious place.
6 The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?
7 The Lord is with me; he is my helper.
I look in triumph on my enemies.
8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in humans.
9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in princes…
Shouts of joy and victory
resound in the tents of the righteous:
“The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!
16 The Lord’s right hand is lifted high;
the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!”
17 I will not die but live,
and will proclaim what the Lord has done. (Psalm 118 NIV).
“The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid…It’s better to take refuge in the Lord than trust humans…He has done mighty things…” Yes, this is the day! This is the day the Lord has made and I will rejoice. I get it. I’m not alone. We are never alone. It might seem dark but there is light. I might feel abandoned, but Jesus is with me. God carries me and you through the darkness this world brings. In rejoicing and praising God, in trusting the Lord’s mighty right hand, I begin to see the light in the darkness. I am lifted up and can face the day.
Will you join me and declare this is the day? No matter what today brings you, let God breathe life and bring hope into your difficult moments, so you too can breathe life and bring hope to others. Share your story of hope and victory below and we can encourage each other.