This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
--Psalm 118:24
If you’re around negative people very much, you know what a downer they can be. Some people just seem to always see the negative side of things, and refuse to embrace hope or happiness.
But as Christians, we need to get rid of those negative attitudes. That’s exactly what Paul did in his writings. He was even in prison when he wrote several of his letters, but he chose to rejoice in the Lord! Paul would agree that your attitude will determine your outcome.
Every day, we should make a decision to rejoice and thank God, no matter our situation. Christians should be the most insanely joyful people on the earth! We don’t need to struggle all day with fear or worry because we know that Christ has everything in His hands, and He won’t let us go.
Learning to rejoice in the day is a process of training and disciplining ourselves to serve Christ and live in the joy of His love and grace. We may get irritable and stressed at times, but if the determination of our hearts is to rejoice in the Lord, we can find the good in everything—even in the little delays and frustrations of the day that so often upset us.
There is a wonderful little children’s chorus that begins, “This is the day, this is the day that the Lord has made. We will rejoice, we will rejoice and be glad in it.” That would be a good daily anthem to sing.
Choose to live your life today in the shadow of God’s grace, and rejoice that He has given you another day of life to serve Him.
Christians should be the most joyful and positive people on the earth. Are you?
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”
Psalm 16:8–11
When the Children of Israel came to Mt. Sinai, God called Moses apart to receive the instructions and commandments that would govern their lives as a nation. During the time they were together, Moses asked for a revelation of God’s glory, only to be told that if he looked on God directly, he would die. God did allow Moses to glimpse His glory from the rear as He passed by, and it had a dramatic impact on Moses. Though Moses himself did not know it, that very limited exposure to God’s presence made his face shine: “And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him” (Exodus 34:30).
It is impossible for us to spend time in God’s presence without it having an impact on our lives. Many Christians who are struggling on their own without spending time in God’s presence, lack the joy, peace, and power they need because they are operating independently rather than living with a strong connection to God. Going to church once a week (or less) and only half-hearted, sporadic times of prayer and Scripture reading does not make a victorious Christian. Andrew Murray wrote, “May not a single moment of my life be spent outside the light, love and joy of God’s presence and not a moment without the entire surrender of myself as a vessel for Him to fill full of His Spirit and His love.”
Today’s Growth Principle:
If you expect to experience the power and peace of God, you must daily abide in His presence.
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