This is THE DAY....

This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.  (Psa 118:24)

We often use the expression, "have a nice day". It 's an attempt to part from someone with a pleasant word, but we know from experience that we can't simply have a nice day just because someone tells us to. It's like telling someone suffering from depression, "Hey, get over it. Life isn't so bad". Or like telling a person who has just lost his job, "Relax. It's not the only job in town." Having a nice day takes more than wishful thinking and a cheery farewell.

Part of the worship for the Passover night was to repeat the Hallel Psalms (Psalms 113 - 118). Psalm 118 was possibly repeated by the Lord & the disciples at the inauguration of the Lord's supper, Mat 26:30. His voice must have been strong to sing "This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it", Psa 118:24, because it was to be the day of His infinite sufferings and untold sorrow; it is the day when the sacrifice was bound to the horns of the altar (Psa 118:27), it was the day for the crucifixion of the Lamb. This was the day He had moved towards in holy submission for 33 yrs. Now it had arrived.  Beyond this day, beyond the cross lay the exalted position of becoming the head stone of the corner", Psa 18:22, but this had been refused by the builders, Mar 12:10-11.

The cords which bound Him, the thorns which crowned Him, the scourge which lashed Him, the rod which they smote Him with, all are garlands which should cause His people to admire and adore Him.

Christians often use this verse to describe the day in which they are living. Our Lord enables His people to rejoice because of the suffering that He experienced at the Cross. He committed Himself to the will of God, and “For the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb_12:2). This is the secret of being able to rejoice in this day, the attitude of being submitted to the will of God.

The Lord has already made many wonderful days: the day of creation, the day of incarnation, the day of redemption, the day of resurrection and the day of ascension. Each of these was unique. There are more wonderful days yet to come: the day of the rapture, the day of His appearing, the day of judgement. To all of these we, as believers, look forward with great anticipation because we will be part of them. But He also made today, whatever it may hold for us personally. It is a “Lord’s day” and each hour and every detail are in His control. We will rejoice therefore and be glad in it.