I ask that question a lot at the beginning of conversations. Most people say good or ok, but usually, there is someone that replies, “don’t ask” or “horrible.” Sometimes I wish I hadn’t asked, because there are those that always see the negative side of things. While each of us has days that are stressful, lonely, painful, or physically and emotionally draining, we should never forget the words of the psalmist in Psalm 118:24 “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
When this was written the psalmist, who most think was David, has come through some hard things. These hard times must have been because of sin in his life because in verse 18 he speaks of being chastised by the Lord, but even in the discipline, the Lord preserved his life.
Psalm 118:18 “The LORD hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death.”
As he continues in verses 19-23, you can sense his gratitude and praise building as he begins to think upon the goodness of God. Verses 22 and 23 are references to the coming Messiah. When he says verse 24, he is overcome with the goodness of God and declares “this is the day the Lord hath made” his response was rejoicing!
Psalm 118:19-23” Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD: This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter. I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation. The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the LORD’S doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
Why should we rejoice every day, even when rejoicing is the furthest attitude from our minds? Because it brings glory to God! It causes us to get our minds off our circumstances and focus on the big picture of what’s to come. It changes our perspective to think about all our blessings when our feelings want to guide us to the negative side of life. Why should we rejoice every day? Because it’s a witness of Christ within us.
Recently I was blessed to pray with a young Muslim lady to receive Christ. I thought about how her life would change now that she was a Christian. I thought about how she would learn and seek God, but I was looking at her situation through my culture’s eyes. A culture where Christianity was quite common. A culture where being a Christian costs us nothing! No real persecution, no rejection, or threat of death. However, a few weeks later when a young girl was being baptized, I was a bit shocked when she was so excited and started to clap as the girl was entering the water. She stopped herself before she made too much noise because she realized she was the only one showing excitement. At the end everyone, as was customary, clapped, and she joined in with heartfelt excitement. I finally got it! She understood what it meant to proclaim Christ as Lord and Savior. For her, as it should be for us, being a Christian meant living a life of sacrifice, possibly even giving her life. It meant being joyful deep within herself. I pray she never adapts to our culture and becomes so reserved that she loses the childlike faith that keeps her keep rejoicing.
How can we rejoice every day? We keep the reality of the cross fresh in our minds. Knowing what our salvation costs God the Father and His Son should give us joy and hope that can’t be matched. Will we always be happy? No, because happiness is based on our circumstances, joy is based on a deep-rooted relationship that doesn’t change. That relationship is with Immanuel, God with us, and God in us. In John 15:11, Jesus is preparing them for his return to Heaven. The reason for this is to remind them of the truths He has spoken. Jesus said in John 16:22, that in Him we have joy that no one can take away.
John 15:11 “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”
John 16:2 “And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.”
When we have the joy of Jesus we can rejoice! One of the most persecuted followers of Christ was Paul and while in prison he gave us instructions to rejoice always and evermore! Our hope should propel us to greater heights of rejoicing. The longer we live, the closer we come to having our joy complete.
Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again, I say, Rejoice.”
I Thessalonians 5:16 “Rejoice evermore.”
When we keep our eyes on Jesus we too can say “this IS the day that the Lord has made we WILL rejoice and be glad in it!”
