This (is) the day (which) the Lord has made: we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalms 118:24
I awakened this Easter morning with the words above in my heart and I began to meditate on their meaning for my life today. I absolutely believe in the divine inspiration of the truths of scripture. I know what my life was like prior to my acceptance of Christ as my saviour. Religion was not enough. Being a good person is not enough. The subsequent in-working of the words of the scriptures and their profound effect on every area of my life has transformed me into a new creation. I used to live in fear and doubt, wondering what was in store for my life next. Not any more. I know whose I am and my life is secure in Him.
“This (is) the day….” One of the definitions of the word “day” found in Webster’s dictionary reads, “time specified; any period of time distinguished from another time; age; time with reference to the existence of a person or thing.” For example, he was a great ball player in his day. The day spoken of in this verse is not the 24-hour period it takes for the earth to revolve upon its axis. It is a period of time.
“…which the Lord has made (past tense)….” From eternity past, God saw this day (period) in which April 12, 2009 occupies a small portion of and all that this period is offering. He saw unemployment rising fast, the economy of the world hanging by a thread financially, violence filling our streets (and now our seas with Somali pirates – yikes), etc. He also spoke of a time when “darkness shall cover the earth and gross darkness the people…” but thank God He did not stop there. This statement is actually sandwiched between the following two statements: “Arise, shine; for thy light is come (present tense for the day), and the glory of the Lord is (present tense again) risen upon you” and “but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee.” There must be darkness for the light to be visible. The front porch light of my house is often left on all night and it is visible as long as there is darkness. But, when the sun arises, the light from the bulb is irrelevant. The same holds true for our day. Many have rendered the Light of the world irrelevant in their hearts and the consequence of their ways has led to a world filled with darkness. People ask, if God is so powerful, why doesn’t He just stop the madness. That is for another discussion, but think about this, God did not take away the power He gave to man just because man fell. Man still has it within his means to create (as God created) only he does it with a fallen, wicked, evil heart and the consequences to this earth are “all the foundations of the earth are out of course…” (for now). But I believe this is going to change soon!!
“…we will (present tense)…” Will is defined by Webster’s dictionary as “to determine; to decide in the mind that something shall be done or forborne.” In other words, we have a choice whether we will “rejoice and be glad” or be sad and in despair. The choice is ours. In other words, “choose this day whom you will serve….” Let us serve the One whom the day really belongs to!
“…rejoice and be glad in it (present tense)…” Rejoice is defined in the Hebrew language as the “spinning around as if under the influence of any violent emotion…” Have you ever seen someone who won the lottery or just came into outrageously good news and what their reaction was? It was one of uncontrollable joy and gladness. This is how this day is to be lived. We are to live in the day. Glad is defined in Hebrew as blithe or ”joyous or merry.” We are to be joyous in the day we live.
The apostle Paul, writing to his spiritual son Timothy said it this way, “…for I know in whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” That is why I rejoice and am glad that I have committed to Him all that He has so graciously given unto me. My marriage, my children, my friendships and relationships, my job, my health, etc. are all committed unto the One who is able to keep me – no matter what the day looks like.
I awakened this Easter morning with the words above in my heart and I began to meditate on their meaning for my life today. I absolutely believe in the divine inspiration of the truths of scripture. I know what my life was like prior to my acceptance of Christ as my saviour. Religion was not enough. Being a good person is not enough. The subsequent in-working of the words of the scriptures and their profound effect on every area of my life has transformed me into a new creation. I used to live in fear and doubt, wondering what was in store for my life next. Not any more. I know whose I am and my life is secure in Him.
“This (is) the day….” One of the definitions of the word “day” found in Webster’s dictionary reads, “time specified; any period of time distinguished from another time; age; time with reference to the existence of a person or thing.” For example, he was a great ball player in his day. The day spoken of in this verse is not the 24-hour period it takes for the earth to revolve upon its axis. It is a period of time.
“…which the Lord has made (past tense)….” From eternity past, God saw this day (period) in which April 12, 2009 occupies a small portion of and all that this period is offering. He saw unemployment rising fast, the economy of the world hanging by a thread financially, violence filling our streets (and now our seas with Somali pirates – yikes), etc. He also spoke of a time when “darkness shall cover the earth and gross darkness the people…” but thank God He did not stop there. This statement is actually sandwiched between the following two statements: “Arise, shine; for thy light is come (present tense for the day), and the glory of the Lord is (present tense again) risen upon you” and “but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee.” There must be darkness for the light to be visible. The front porch light of my house is often left on all night and it is visible as long as there is darkness. But, when the sun arises, the light from the bulb is irrelevant. The same holds true for our day. Many have rendered the Light of the world irrelevant in their hearts and the consequence of their ways has led to a world filled with darkness. People ask, if God is so powerful, why doesn’t He just stop the madness. That is for another discussion, but think about this, God did not take away the power He gave to man just because man fell. Man still has it within his means to create (as God created) only he does it with a fallen, wicked, evil heart and the consequences to this earth are “all the foundations of the earth are out of course…” (for now). But I believe this is going to change soon!!
“…we will (present tense)…” Will is defined by Webster’s dictionary as “to determine; to decide in the mind that something shall be done or forborne.” In other words, we have a choice whether we will “rejoice and be glad” or be sad and in despair. The choice is ours. In other words, “choose this day whom you will serve….” Let us serve the One whom the day really belongs to!
“…rejoice and be glad in it (present tense)…” Rejoice is defined in the Hebrew language as the “spinning around as if under the influence of any violent emotion…” Have you ever seen someone who won the lottery or just came into outrageously good news and what their reaction was? It was one of uncontrollable joy and gladness. This is how this day is to be lived. We are to live in the day. Glad is defined in Hebrew as blithe or ”joyous or merry.” We are to be joyous in the day we live.
The apostle Paul, writing to his spiritual son Timothy said it this way, “…for I know in whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” That is why I rejoice and am glad that I have committed to Him all that He has so graciously given unto me. My marriage, my children, my friendships and relationships, my job, my health, etc. are all committed unto the One who is able to keep me – no matter what the day looks like.
