Jump Start # 1731

Psalms 118:24 “This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

  We are looking this week at the theme of Thanksgiving. The opening verse of Psalms 118 states, “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.” What follows are multiple reasons to be thankful. We find:

• God’s lovingkindness is everlasting (1)
• God answered in our distress (5)
• God is for me (6)
• God helped me (13)
• God is my salvation (14)
• God has made this day (24)

The chapter ends with, “You are my God, and I give thanks to You…Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.”

Our verse reminds us, “This is the day which the Lord has made.” This day. Today. Every day is a gift from Heaven. This day, as busy as it may be, and as crazy as it may turn out, is what God has given us. Each of us have just this day. We plan for the next day. We plan for weeks ahead. We plan for next year. Vacations are being thought about. Churches are forming themes and filling dates with guest speakers. We think about anniversaries, graduations, weddings and birthdays coming next year. Some will have big events next year. Some will plan to retire next year. Some may be thinking about moving next year. But all we really have is “this day.” We can be so forward thinking that we forget about this day. This day can be just another plain ole’ day. We may think, ’lets fast forward to Thursday—a holiday.’ No school. No work. Turkey. Family. Football. Fun. But today is not Thursday. This is the day which the Lord has made. Could it be that we live for the special days and just coast through the other days? Could it be that we see little to be thankful for on a Tuesday before a big holiday? Could it be that we do not see any reason to rejoice and be glad in this day, other than wanting this day to be over?

Rejoice that you are alive today. This is a blessing. This is a gift. You have been given a day. Find ways to be thankful, even on a Tuesday. Find ways to use this day to your benefit and God’s glory. Thank the Lord for today. Read something worthwhile. Engage in a meaningful conversation. Do something for someone. This is the day which the Lord has made. Don’t waste it. Don’t just assume that you will have another one.

Rejoice that you have mind and heart to remember the Lord. Many will fly through this day without a single thought about God. Some will use this day to discredit God. Some will disappoint and even shame God this day. Some will live as if God wasn’t even alive. They will ignore Him completely. But you are different. You know God and love God. Be thankful for that. Be thankful that you have been taught about God. Be thankful that you can acknowledge the Lord in all of your ways. Be thankful that you are walking with God today. Be thankful that God is near to you today.

Rejoice that God has given you the eyes to see what really matters today. Beyond the glitter of shopping, and stuff, lies what really matters. Faith. Family. Friends. Fellowship. Freedom. Character. Hope. Joy. Smiles and hugs. You may have a long list of things that must be done today, mine is that way. That long list can feel like a burden that stresses you. However, in all of that look for the things that truly matter. As you talk to people, share the name of the Lord. As you eat, be thankful. As you travel, pray for safety. As you gain insights, become better. We sing, “Open our eyes, Lord…” The rich man in Luke 16, never really saw Lazarus laid at his gates. I’m certain he saw him, and probably complained about him being there, but he never really saw him with love and compassion. The bent over woman in the synagogue on a Saturday was seen by all who were there. However, Jesus really saw her. He called her to come to Him and He healed her.  Open eyes to help others. Open our eyes to make a difference. Rejoice that God opens your eyes today.

Rejoice that God has given you yet another day to make corrections in your life. One of these days will be the last day. Some day, God will have had enough and He will send the Lord. On that day, everything changes. The world will end. The dead will be raised. Judgment will take place. Everyone will be cast into eternity. On that day, there won’t be time for sermons. On that day, it will be too late to make apologies and do what is right. That day, everything will change. But God has given you today. God is patient with you today. Maybe, today is the day that you pick up the phone and call someone and apologize. Maybe today is the day that you decide to leave toxic friends who are taking you away from Jesus. Maybe today is the day that you decide that you will jump in with both feet and truly get committed to the Lord. Maybe today is the day that you decide I will serve the Lord in whatever way that I can. Maybe today is the day that you finally flee from Satan. Maybe today is the day that you draw near to the Lord. God has given you another day.

I tend to think that the Psalmist didn’t know how his day was going to end, yet he tells us to rejoice and be glad. That’s a choice. I can walk around today with a sour look on my face or I can be glad. I can spread gladness by being cheerful, thankful and kind.

Who knows how this day will end, but if it begins with the Lord and we stay with the Lord, it doesn’t really matter.

Rejoice and be glad—this is the day which the Lord has made.

Roger