Will We Rejoice and Be Glad In It?
It is easy to get weighed down with the burdens and troubles of this world – financial issues, family and/or job responsibilities, health issues, relationship problems, too much to do and too little time, exhaustion, loss of a loved one, disappointments, crime, injustice, political instability… Even as God’s children, followers of Jesus can succumb to the weight and worries of life. We can get overly focused on the cares and concerns of this life and lose sight of the victories and joys of our eternal life in Christ.
Life in this fallen world can be tough! But every single day is a gift from God and should be treated as such.
- Psalm 118:24 This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.
I am not discounting the reality of the human condition – we are all sinful people living in a broken world. But the reality is, our lives are just a blip on the radar of eternity.
- James 4:14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.
I am not writing this as a pep talk. I am not telling you, ‘keep your chin up, hang in there, things will get better.’
I am asking,
‘Will we rejoice and be glad in it?’
Today. Right now.
Can we see past our worries, problems,
disappointments and sin to celebrate what inspired
the psalmist to say,
‘We will rejoice and be glad in it.’
Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the psalmist wrote the verses that precede Psalm 118:24.
- Psalm 118:22-23 The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. 23 This was the LORD’s doing; It is marvelous in our eyes.
These verses in Psalm 118 are a direct reference to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
- Acts 4:10-11 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. 11 This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’
- See also: Matthew 21:42-45 and 1 Peter 2:6-8
Jesus, God in the flesh, is the cornerstone that our faith is built upon. He is the foundation on which all we believe rests. He is The Way, The Truth and The Life through Whom we become children of God. He is the model, motivation and means by which we live a life reconciled with and honoring to God the Father.
Whatever we are dealing with,
whoever is hurting us, wherever we came from:
Jesus dealt with it on Calvary’s Cross!
This moment may be the last opportunity we have this side of heaven to praise His name and rejoice in the knowledge and reality of His truth and love.
- Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
This is the day the LORD has made, Will we rejoice and be glad in it?
Prayer
Dear Lord, You know how much I complain and worry. I confess to You how short I have fallen with regards to rejoicing and being glad in each day that you have made. May praises to Your name rise from my heart to You. Help all who know the promises, peace and purpose that come through Christ to rejoice and be glad in this and every day. Help us see beyond the realities of today to the assurances of eternity. I humbly and confidently offer this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
