This is the Day

“This is the day”—four words that can transform how we approach every sunrise. In a culture that either dreads Mondays or lives for Fridays, Psalm 118:24 reframes our entire perspective on time itself.

“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24, NIV)

Originally sung during Passover celebrations, this verse takes on deeper meaning when we consider Christ’s resurrection (Matthew 21:9 quotes this psalm during Palm Sunday). Let’s explore how to live this truth daily.

Divine Ownership of Time

The verse makes two radical claims:

“The Lord has made” – God sovereignly ordains each day
“This” – Not just special days, but today specifically

This means:

Mundane Mondays are as much God’s design as miraculous Red Sea moments
Difficult days aren’t accidents but allowed by a loving Father
Every sunrise is intentionally crafted by the Creator of time

The Choice to Rejoice

The Hebrew verbs reveal active decisions:

“Rejoice” (gîl) – To spin with joy
“Be glad” (śāmah) – To brighten with cheer

This isn’t:
❌ Denying real pain
❌ Fake positivity

But rather:
✅ Choosing to see God’s hand at work
✅ Celebrating His daily faithfulness

The Secret of Daily Bread Living

Jesus taught us to pray for “daily bread” (Matthew 6:11), which means:

Present focus – God gives grace for today’s challenges
Trust exercise – Tomorrow has its own worries (Matthew 6:34)
Sacred ordinary – Even routine moments hold divine purpose

When we truly believe God made today, we stop:

Rushing through the present to reach the future
Regretting the past
Wishing away difficult seasons

Practical Ways to Live “This is the Day”

Morning Declaration
Speak Psalm 118:24 aloud before checking your phone
Gratitude Pauses
Set reminders to identify God’s gifts throughout the day
Redefine “Special”
Find holy moments in ordinary routines—a shared meal, a sunset, a child’s laugh
Evening Reflection
Ask: “Where did I see God’s hand in today?”

When Rejoicing Feels Impossible

For those in difficult seasons:

The verse doesn’t say “feel glad” but “be glad” – an act of will
Even in pain, we can acknowledge God’s sovereignty
Sometimes rejoicing means whispering “Help me trust You” through tears

Remember—the darkest day in history (Good Friday) became the gateway to resurrection. Your tough day holds unseen purpose too.

Reflection Questions

What ordinary part of today can I recognize as God’s intentional gift?
How would my attitude change if I truly believed God designed today specifically?
What burden do I need to release to fully embrace this day?

Prayer

Creator of Time,
Thank You for this day—not just the easy moments,
But the challenges that make me depend on You.
Forgive me for wishing away Your gift of now.
Open my eyes to see Your fingerprints everywhere today.
When I’m tempted to complain,
Remind me that even difficult days
Are custom-designed by a loving Father.
Help me spin with joy at Your daily faithfulness,
Starting right now.
Amen.