Rejoice and Be Glad

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

If we will be honest, some events in our day may not produce rejoicing in us. Sometimes there are small, somewhat insignificant, events that occur. An example of that would be when the electricity goes off at work when you are in the middle of typing a memo — aggravating, isn’t it?

Of course, we know other life events are much more difficult than the electricity failing us. Health issues, family crises, and financial problems can definitely cloud our day. 

However, the Lord wants us to rejoice through all of life’s peaks and valleys, knowing that sunlight and rain are a part of everyone’s life. Jesus alluded to this in Matthew 5:45: “…for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” The question is: how do we rejoice in all circumstances?

This morning, as I began driving to work, it was somewhat foggy. There was no sunshine at first. After a few miles, the sunlight cut through the fog. Once the fog cleared, it was obvious that it would be a beautiful day. Think about it!

Some days we face rain, fog, and storms that are characteristic of living in an imperfect world. Our nature is to allow all of that to hide the fact that “this is the day the Lord has made.” We need to realize that God is like the sunlight breaking through the fog and the clouds of the problems we are facing. He really gives us reasons to rejoice.

He loves us when it seems no one else does.

He knows what we are dealing with when no one else sees it.

He can help us when no one else has the ability to do a single thing for us.

You see, we can live life and enjoy it. Despite the rough places, we know God is with us. Every day is made by the Lord. Let us rejoice and be glad for every day He gives us.

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Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.

Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children  — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter  — Breanna. 

Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. 

Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.