“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” – Psalm 118:24
Dear Saints,
What difference does a day make? “Twenty-four little hours,” as the old song says, can contain ups, downs, twists and turns. One day can fly by in the blink of an eye, or it can seem to drag on forever. When we look back on our lives, there are only a very few specific days we recall with clarity. However, the days we do remember are seared into our memories for good. There are days when our hearts soared, days when they sank, days when they were broken, and days our hearts (like the Grinch’s) grew three sizes all at once. Some of those highlights, perhaps wedding days or birth days, were planned for for months. And then days filled with heartbreak sneak up on us, catching us completely off guard, like the proverbial “thief in the night.”
Every day has the potential to bring with it blessings, challenges, trials and triumphs. The story of Holy Week is a testament to that truth. Palm Sunday brings “hosannas.” Maundy Thursday brings blessings and betrayal. Good Friday encapsulates heartbreak. And then Easter Sunday re-defines how much Good News one day can hold. Walking with Jesus through the events of this week are an emotional roller-coaster, where each day reveals new truths about the depth of his love and the brutality of the world.
Psalm 118 encourages us each day: “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” This verse rings true on the good days and the bad. It’s true on Easter Sunday and it’s true on Good Friday. Each day, with its share of joys and sorrows, is a new day to see God’s creative and redeeming work firsthand. Each new day, whether eagerly hoped for or dolefully dreaded, is nonetheless a new opportunity to experience God’s grace. Whether or not we can “rejoice” in each moment, we can at least hope to reflect back on God’s presence with us in every circumstance.
Whether this day we find ourselves bracing for sacrifice or hoping for fulfillment, “This is the day that the Lord has made.” May the peace of Christ steady us in the difficult days. May the love of the Father buoy us in the uneventful days. And may the joy of the Spirit overflow through us on the days we can see the Resurrection at work in and arounds us.
+ Pastor Ginger +