"This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it."

Many of us may have heard this verse over long years. But often, with some of these popular verses, they can become so familiar to us that we may even miss the deeper meaning and context under which they are written.

So, what is the “day” that Psalm 118 makes reference to? Is it the general “every day” that God gives us, or is it referring to a specific day in history?

In Psalm 118, the author is writing about incredible adversity. It's not written when times are good, but when times are really hard. Situations were changing. The Psalmist cried out to God in anguish, he was surrounded on all sides by the enemy. He felt pushed back and was about to fall. Yet right in the midst of huge struggles, this chapter both starts and ends with the same verse, of giving thanks and praise unto God.

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, his love endures forever."

Such a powerful reminder to us: True joy is never dependent on our circumstances. And though we may know this in our head, it might be hard to live out every day. Learning to choose joy in hard times takes effort and action on our part; it requires our hearts to be set on Him. God is faithful to help us so that we can choose well. And we can be assured that in His grace, He has made every day, and for that gift itself we can “rejoice and be glad in it.” No matter what we face, we can still believe in God’s goodness and love, for that’s what carries us through the most difficult of seasons.

We might be facing the toughest of times right now, but the truth is this, He's still given us breath for today. That is the beauty of the message of Advent: Jesus came to give us hope and freedom. He’s the very reason we can live with joy in the midst of our battles and have peace that is unexplainable to the world. He's with us and will never leave or fail us. His love covers us; He gives us the strength to face every trial and obstacle with courage and grace. We can rest in the security of that Truth.

No matter what you’re up against, be confident in God’s unchanging love for you, always. As it is written, “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Reflection:

• What adversities in your life are you facing currently?
• How can you begin to fix your focus on Jesus, trusting that He is with you in every season?
• Prayer: “Jesus, this is the day you have made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.”

Family Application: Psalm 118

Our passage for today was written by the Psalmist as a song of praise! He sang praises to God for His mercies and His immeasurable goodness. God is our helper, our deliverer, our peace, and our strength. In what ways has God been good to your family? Can you look back on times in your life and see that God had a plan that came together for your good? Take time as a family to thank God for His goodness and mercy in your life.

• Prayer: God, thank You for Your enduring love and goodness. You are always faithful. Help me to remember I don’t have to doubt that You’re always with me. We praise You, God, for who You are! We love You! Amen.