This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it (Psalms 118:24).
Some of us have sung, many times, a song based on that verse written in 1967 by New Zealander, Les Garrett. It is thought that the tune he used was an arrangement of a folk tune from the island of Fiji.
And now you know the rest of the story (or at least some of the rest of the story).
There are two constant reminders in this verse (and song):
- Every day is a gift from God. No matter the circumstances of the moment, we have this day as a gift from the Creator of all that is and the Giver of all good things.
- We have a choice as to how we will respond to the gift of this day. “We will rejoice and be glad in it.” We can choose deliberately and intentionally to rejoice in the gift and the Giver. Or we can choose a different response.
There are so many days over the course of our lives that we wish would be different. Circumstances we never would have chose. Days in which there are more questions than answers. Days in which we grieve the evil in the world.
The past few days have been that way. The terrible atrocities perpetrated in Israel by members of the terrorist organization Hamas have kept many glued to their tv or computer screens to catch the latest news.
These are days to grieve the loss of life of both Israelis and Palestinians.
These are days to pray for God to intervene.
These are days to recognize how quickly life can change and how important it is to live our lives purposefully.
These are days to reaffirm our resolve to focus on rejoicing in the God who gives us our days, rather than focusing on the rapidly changing circumstances within those days.
If we are tempted to point fingers of blame at our political opponents—this ain’t the day.
If we are tempted to take to social media and give our hot takes on what ought to happen (as if we’re all suddenly geo-political experts)—this ain’t the day.
If we’re tempted to make proclamations about how these events fulfill Biblical prophecy (as if there is only one correct interpretation of Biblical prophetic passages)—this ain’t the day.
If we’re convinced that everyone needs to agree with us, or be excluded from our circle of care and compassion (I’m including myself in this)—this ain’t the day.
Actually, I’m not sure there ever is a day for those things, because it actually damages our own souls when we self-isolate into bubbles and echo chambers that leave no room for us to learn from each other.
I’m proclaiming my choice today to rejoice in who God is, to see each day as a gift to be used purposefully, and to be willing to listen and learn from unexpected voices.
I’m inviting you to join me.
Be amazing today, my friend.
