What “This Is the Day the Lord Has Made” Means in Hard Times

“This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” – Psalm 118:24Many of us may have heard this verse over long years. But often, with some of these most popular verses, they can become so familiar to us that we may even miss the deeper meaning and context under which they are written.So what is the “day” that Psalm 118 makes reference to? Is it the general “every day” that God gives us, or is it referring to a specific day in history? In its original context, “this day” celebrates a decisive act of deliverance that the Lord brought about. Christians can still receive each new day as God’s gift, but Psalm 118:24 first invites God’s people to rejoice in what He has done to save—a theme the New Testament ultimately connects to Jesus.Psalm 118 is a song of thanksgiving spoken from the other side of intense adversity and God-given deliverance. It’s not written when times are good, but when times are really hard. Situations were changing. The Psalmist cried out to God in anguish; he was surrounded on all sides by the enemy. He felt pushed back and about to fall. Yet right in the midst of huge struggles, this chapter both starts and ends with the same verse, of giving thanks and praise unto God.”Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, his love endures forever.” Psalm 118:29Key PointsPsalm 118:24 was written in the context of adversity, reminding believers that joy does not have to depend on easy circumstances.The surrounding verses point beyond an ordinary day to God’s saving work, including the rejected stone becoming the cornerstone.The New Testament applies Psalm 118’s imagery to Jesus, showing Him as the cornerstone and the One through whom salvation comes.The psalm’s words about the One who comes in the name of the Lord are echoed in the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.Because of Christ, believers can rejoice even in difficult seasons, trusting God’s goodness, presence, and unchanging love each day.Want to explore more of the Psalms for healing, comfort, and thanksgiving? Download our FREE 30-Day Prayer Guide through the Psalms to get started today.Image Credit: ©GettyImages/simonapilolla | Written by Debbie McDaniel | iBelieve.com | Read full story at Read More