Psalm 118:24
This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.
I’ve been experiencing a case of the blahs lately. And for no reason at all. I have a good life. I have a beautiful apartment in an area I love. My girls are lovely, accomplished and living their own lives (still living at home, which is fine). I have a small measure of financial security.
In short, I’m better off than a lot of people right now. Yet, I can’t seem to shake this case of the blahs.
The other morning, while walking my dog, Percy, I decided to attack this with prayer and praise. I love to praise God. I love reminding myself out loud all he’s done for me. I love to tell him what a wonderful Father he is and what a perfect husband he is to me. I began thanking him for my family, how he’s kept them all safe and secure and miraculously provided for them, even in this Covid season.
As I praised him, this verse came to my mind. I said it out loud. “Thank you so much for this day, Father, for this is the day you’ve made and I will rejoice and be glad in it”. As sure as the last word left my mouth, the Lord quickly spoke to me and said:
“Even when the circumstances and feelings tell you otherwise.”
I understood God was giving me a command. He was reminding me that my joy comes from him, not from how I feel. I have gladness all day long because Jesus saved my soul, not because everything in my life is going the way it should. I can rejoice in every moment because God is for me and if God is for me, who can be against me.
None of this is related to my circumstances or my feelings whether they be good or bad. My joy and peace come from the truth of God’s unconditional love for me – a love that sent a Savior to the cross.
Perhaps this is why Paul is my favorite writer in the Bible. He never stops praising God. He never loses his joy. In Philippians 1:12-14, Paul writes,
12 And I want you to know this, dear brothers: Everything that has happened to me here has been a great boost in getting out the Good News concerning Christ. 13 For everyone around here, including all the soldiers over at the barracks, knows that I am in chains simply because I am a Christian. 14 And because of my imprisonment, many of the Christians here seem to have lost their fear of chains! Somehow my patience has encouraged them, and they have become more and more bold in telling others about Christ.
Paul doesn’t yield to his circumstances. He doesn’t despair. In fact, he sees the bigger picture. He knows that while his situation isn’t good, God is working out something good through it all. So Paul doesn’t allow himself to be under the circumstances. But rather, he speaks from a place of deep joy and everlasting peace as one whose life has been transformed. Paul rejoices despite his circumstances which is knows is temporary yet he also knows God’s love and peace and joy is eternal.
What circumstances are you under today? What’s causing you feel off? Can I pray with you?
“Heavenly, Gracious Father, we love you so much and we are so very grateful for the precious gift of your son, Jesus. We can never thank you enough for the power of his Blood and the sweet salvation we get to enjoy because of it. Now, Father, we pray Psalm 118:24 over us for this is the day you have made and we are deciding right now, in this moment, to rejoice and be glad. We refuse to live under any circumstance. In fact, we speak to circumstances and situations and command them to line up with your precious Word. Devil, you’re a liar and these circumstances must yield to the power of the name of Jesus! We speak peace, health, provision and joy into all circumstances and we rise up out from under them. I thank for you supernatural joy and gladness this day, in Jesus name! Amen!”
Faith Love n Joy 