“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Ps. 118:24, ESV).
I woke up with this verse in my heart this morning. Through it, God was speaking three things to my spirit about His joy. I know they are for you too, from His heart to yours:
- “Let us rejoice and be glad…” In this day that we have before us, right now. In the hours that lie ahead, let’s choose joy. There is a fountain of joy on the inside of us, and His name is Holy Spirit. His provision of joy has nothing to do with the circumstances happening on the outside of us. His joy is supernatural. This is why Paul expressed that he could be always rejoicing even in the midst of sorrow. He even made this incredible statement: “In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy” (2 Cor. 7:4b, ESV).
- “Let us rejoice…in it.” In this day that He has crafted for us. Within the next twenty-four hours, there are specific elements in which to rejoice, in which to delight. Somewhere in this day, there will be beauty. Someone you love will smile at you. Or you will see His artwork in a flower. The aroma of coffee will enrich your morning. The breeze will stroke your face. You will draw life-giving oxygen into your lungs. That breathtaking masterpiece He fashioned will look back at you from the mirror. If you look for them, there are blessings all around you. Rejoice in them, on purpose.
- “This is the day that the Lord has made.” We can exult in simply knowing that He set up this day for us. It is from His hand. He is utterly good, everything He does brims over with love, and everything from His heart is a precious blessing. Knowing that He carefully penned this day in His book long before He breathed the worlds into existence is stunning. Truly, let us rejoice and be glad in it!
Do you get how amazing it is that every single day, we have real, supernatural joy available to us? It’s right there for the taking. Reach out right now and make it yours!
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How did Paul manage to overflow with joy in the midst of affliction? Do you believe such an inner reality is within your grasp? What are some of the things you have learned about joy, on your journey?
Feeding On Jesus 
It is hard to comprehend. When we are going through trials, we may be overcome with sadness but we can still lean in to Jesus for the joy he gives us through his holy spirit. He is good and faithful through everything.
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Just this evening before reading your comment, I was thinking/journaling about the verse where Paul says he is “sorrowful yet always rejoicing.” I believe those words reflect how God feels too. He feels our pain and hurts with us, and also at the same time He is overflowing with heavenly joy! What a mysterious mixture.
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Thank you for this beautiful reminder, to look to the many blessings each of us have in our own everyday lives and also reminding us of the source of our joy in Jesus ❤
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You are so welcome! Thank you too for your lovely comment, Michelle. Many rich blessings to you!
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I have found joy in my hardest moments when I could see God’s hand in goodness or beauty in the midst of it. For example, my father passed away suddenly almost 3 years ago in February. Hard time!!! In the midst of it I clearly saw God’s hand while we waited downstairs for the coroner. My dad had sent my mom a dozen roses for Valentine’s Day. The night before he died my mom had made him a steak and shrimp dinner. (They were not always generous and kind to each other.) My dad had accepted the Lord 6 years prior, but it wasn’t until his celebration of life that we heard testimonies of his generous giving to Christian ministries and how he was a source of encouragement to the patients and workers at dialysis. This caused joy to well up and overflow even as I grieved my missing him until we are reunited in heaven!!!
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This is very precious sharing, Alison, the pearls of your heart that are priceless to our Father. I am so grateful that you would share them with us. (very late reply because life has been non-stop since I went back to school). May your dad’s memory always bless you. What a joy to know you will be together again soon! (Everything in our short life spans is soon, isn’t it?)
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Thank you for the reminder, JOY indeed comes in the morning. In the midst of it All as long as Jesus is in our Boats we will journey on,
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Amen! Smiling because I was just meditating on “joy comes in the morning” this week and talking about it with my best friend.
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Coffee makes everything better!
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Boy does it!! Much love to you Barb (very late reply because life has been non-stop since I went back to school).
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Excellent reminder. Thank you for sharing. Be blessed.
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Truly my pleasure. Many blessings to you too!
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❤ Thank you Jennifer.
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You are welcome sweet Dawn!
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Always grateful for you!
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Amen. Many times Apostle Paul writes about the need to rejoice always, embrace faith’s joy, and walk with Christ. At the same time, he faces endless persecution. May we live through life’s trials with the passion of Jesus.
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