PSALM 118:24

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2007

CAN YOU REJOICE AND BE SAD AT THE SAME TIME?

"This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it." PSALM 118:24 (NKJV)

Pastor, how do you expect me to rejoice; I just lost my job?

Pastor, how do you expect me to rejoice; my doctor just told me that I have a terminal illness?

Pastor, how do you expect me to rejoice; my boyfriend just broke up with me?

Pastor, how do you expect me to rejoice; my loved one just died?

The Pastor said, "I understand what you are saying. I know you well enough to believe that you would be rejoicing if good things had happened to you. Remember that the rejoicing is about the day and not what happened on that day. If something good happened or something bad happened, it is the same day. Even better yet, it is the same God who made it. If something bad happens to you on a certain day, even if you don’t enjoy the day, you can still be glad and rejoice because your Loving God made it."

WE PRAY: O God, the Father, Who created heaven and earth, thank you for making this day for us as we sojourn on earth. While joys and sorrows often are the major feelings that surround us, focus our eyes upon all that you have given to us as you made this day. AMEN

A SUGGESTION FOR LIVING THE DEVOTION

You might want to save this suggestion for a day when you feel depressed. On a day when you are feeling down and depressed, look around and see what God has made for you. It might be the song of a bird, a cooing noise of a new born child, the stem of a plant peeking though the soil or a bud slowly opening to bring forth a beautiful flower. When we see these and many other similar happenings, may our depressions be lifted a little, knowing that Yes, God made this day. Be glad and rejoice.