7 Memory Verses to Change a Victim to a Victor, Part 2—Psalm 118:24
May 7, 2007
Dear Friends,
The second memory verse we would like to bring to your attention is found in Ps. 118.
Principle #2—This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. (v. 24)
Believers should live in a state of rejoicing because believers have a unique comfort. Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ know that there is a purpose and meaning to life. We didn’t crawl out of the primordial slime and are simply trying to be among the fittest that survive. We also know that our future is solidly in the hands of our Creator. We also know that our past misdeeds are forgiven. We can move forward by living in today because both the past and the future are taken care of.
The Lord made this day. Perhaps the meaning of this is simply that God caused the sun to rise and shine. Let me suggest another possible meaning too. Maybe the “day” the Lord has made is the circumstances in our lives. Maybe what we are being told that this day with all of its joy and all of its challenges is a gift from God to be enjoyed.
How sad is it for those who cannot rejoice in today because they want yesterday to be different than it was or are worried about tomorrow. Don’t you know people like that? They are miserable today because of something someone did or said to them in the past. They are miserable today because they think something bad could happen in the future. Both past and future are God’s business, not ours. God has given us today and today only to rejoice and be glad in. We should never let the past or future interfere with our present rejoicing. We can only do one thing at a time in the moment we are in. Whatever moment God has given us—whatever task God has given us—let us do it unto the Lord and savor it.
I sometimes ask worrywarts why they are giving up today for something that MIGHT happen in the future. Isn’t the real enemy our diabolos or lack of faith? If we can change our thinking, wouldn’t we be much better off? We can rejoice here and now.
So do not worry; do not say, `What are we to eat? What are we to drink? What are we to wear?’ It is the gentiles who set their hearts on all these things. Your heavenly Father knows you need them all. Set your hearts on his kingdom first, and on God’s saving justice, and all these other things will be given you as well. So do not worry about tomorrow: tomorrow will take care of itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matt. 6:31-34 NJB)
Have a great week,
Comments»
Re today’s TFTW. Your point is correct – that we can take daily joy in God’s providence. But you need to use a different verse because Psalm 118:24 is talking about one specific day – the day in which the Lord Jesus becomes the head stone of the corner. In THAT day, we will rejoice and be glad. And the Psalmist then pleads for that day to come quickly, even now.
22 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. 23 This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. 24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. 25 Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.
Thanks for your work!
You are correct in your exposition. I even had a paragraph in the TFTW about it but deleted it because it was not directly related to the message. I still think in the context of the entire psalm that it is applicable to us as I used it. If you read it, the psalm is about triumph in the face of adversity. For 1,000 years, perhaps, believer would have read this verse with no inkling that it was in reference to the Lord Jesus Christ and that one day. They would have read it as I presented it, I think. With that in mind I assume it has dual application. Primarily as you have interpretted it, but also secondarily as I presented it today.
Anyway, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it. :-)