Skip to main content

Faith for Today



            “This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). 
            Chances are that you, or someone that you know, owns something (a picture, a plaque, a bookmark) with that verse inscribed on it, because, for centuries, it has inspired people to live their life differently.  By breaking it down into its component parts, we will see more clearly the truth that it teaches.
            “This is the day”.  It is tempting to dwell on the past wishing that we could relive or redo some aspect of it, but it is gone!  Similarly, it is easy to get caught up in fretting about what might happen in the future.  However, if anything is going to get done, it must be done “today”.  “This is the day” is an important phrase because it reminds us that this is the only day that we have.  The past is gone and the future is still a mystery, but “this day” you can make a difference.  What are you going to do with “this day”?
            “That the Lord has made”.  Do you believe that?  Do you believe that God has placed you here, in these circumstances, for a reason?  Unfortunately, most people think that their life and circumstances are just random events and that the things that happen are the result of good or bad luck.  But what if God has you right here, right now, for a reason?  What if it is true that God has “determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live”? (Acts 17:26)  Would that cause you to see your circumstances differently?  Would it cause you to live with more purpose?  Assuming that the Lord has made this day and all that is in it, leads me to ask, “What does God want me to do or learn here?” and that is always a great question.
            “Let us rejoice and be glad in it”.  Some days will be good, others will not be, but the overall tone of my life is to be one of “rejoicing” and “gladness”.  That leads me to ask: “Would people use those two words to describe you?”  If not, then something needs to change!  Philippians 4:4 says, “Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice!”  That is a command, not a suggestion.  If I believe that God has given me this day, then I must also look for the good in it.  I must find something about which to be glad.
            Too many times, we act as if faith has nothing to do with everyday life, but that is not true.  We need a faith that changes not only our eternal destination, but also the way that we deal with things here.
            “This is the day…” is a good place to start.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Art of Noticing.... Seeing what we need to see and what we miss when we don't

 What we focus on in life matters. Here are some scriptural reminders that will help us see correctly.  https://youtu.be/Rn76tV0ZH8s    
Post a Comment
Read more

New Article: A Path Worth Following

  Jehoram was a terrible king.  He reigned in Judah around the year 850 B.C. and he did not care about God or his people.  His first act as king was to assassinate his six brothers so that no one could challenge his authority.  He was brutal and selfish.   Therefore, when the Bible sums up his life, it says, “Jehoram… passed away, to no one’s regret, and was buried in the City of David” (2 Chronicles 21:20).  Did you catch that?  “To no one’s regret!”  What a terrible phrase for your tombstone. On the other hand, consider a lady named Tabitha.  She lived in the city of Joppa in the first century A.D. and we are told, “… she was always doing good and helping the poor” (Acts 9:36).  She became sick and died.  This caused the community so much grief that they called Peter, who was in the nearby town of Lydda, to come and help them.  When Peter arrived, a crowd gathered, bringing all the robes and other clothing that ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Consider This.... Which Way Are You Leaning?

   When Ben Patterson agreed to join three friends climbing Mount Lyell, the highest point in Yosemite National Park, he did not realize what he was signing up for.  Early in the day, it became clear that he was completely unprepared for the task.  In an effort to keep up with his more experienced friends, Ben took a shortcut.  It did not occur to him that there might be a reason the others had not selected this route, but he soon found out why.  Ben became stuck on the glacier.  He could not move up, down or sideways and one wrong move would send him sliding down a forty-five-degree slope to the valley floor miles below.   That is when one of his friends came to the rescue. His buddy leaned over the edge and carved some footholds in the ice.  He told Ben to step to the first foothold and immediately swing his other foot to the second, then his buddy would pull him to safety.  Lastly, his friend gave him one more piece of advice....
Post a Comment
Read more