Psalm 118:24
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
When I envision what a joy-filled day looks like I think of my daughter Stephanie's 12th birthday. Her smile was permanent from the time she bounced out of bed in the morning until she dropped back into it again that night.
On our after school trip to town to spend her birthday money, she could hardly sit still in the front seat of our van. "Today has been the best day of my entire life," she bubbled. "I got an A- on my math test (a rare treat in her least-favorite class), a home run in kick ball (a goal for her 6th grade year and it was only October 9), and a CD player from you and Dad (a gift she had been longing for since the previous Christmas)."
Her chatter continued for the next 15 miles. Suddenly she stopped, looked at me, and asked, "Mom, do you think I talk too much?"
"Well, let's look at the windshield, Steph." I said. "Your side of the van is completely fogged up and my side is crystal clear. What do you think?"
She obviously didn’t think too much about it because she bounded into her next batch of blessings without missing a beat.
For Christians, each day should be as joy-filled as Steph's birthday. Too often that's not how we live, though. We tend to forget that joy is not an option - it's a command!
Psalm 118:24 says, “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” It doesn't say you can rejoice AFTER your face clears up. Or you'll experience joy WHEN you’re a star soccer player. Or joy WILL COME when you get your driver’s license. No! This is the day - today is God's day - to rejoice and be glad!
Joy is not about our circumstances in life, it's about our connection to Christ. When we are connected to the Vine, joy naturally grows as a fruit of the Spirit. We can't produce it on our own. It's the miraculous product of being connected to the One who is pure joy.
Rejoice in your salvation through Jesus Christ! Smile because He knows you by name! Celebrate as you claim His promises! Sing His praises! Shout for joy!
Better yet, go fog up a windshield.
Today’s Prayer:
Father God, thank you that the joy of the Lord is my strength! Please help me to embrace your command to rejoice in each day that you have made. May my joy not be based on the circumstances of my life, but on my connection to Christ. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Written by Lenae Bulthuis, Renville, Minnesota
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