You may ask why and my answer is simple. This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Ps 118:24
It is simple in it's decision, but not always simple in it's action. There is so much in this world that makes it easy for us to feel alone, bitter, and afraid. These feelings lead us to anger and destructive behavior. We can be of no help to anyone when we let our emotions rule how we respond to the hardships that we encounter in this world. We must remember that Satan is out to destroy those who follow God. But we can kick Satan's butt. We can choose to speak to our emotions and follow God's will, which is a win-win for us and God while at the same time we're spitting in the devils face and putting him in his rightful place...under our heels.
Ps 31:7 says "I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul." God doesn't promise any of us a nice cushy life. What He does promise is that He will always be there for us. Gods plan for us, and for the world, is perfect. We may not always think that when it's our turn to make an impact, especially when it involves unpleasant circumstances that we must go through, but God sees the big picture, we don't. He knows how to run the universe and knows the chain of action our little part makes in that big picture.
At times we go through a long dark tunnel, and while there Satan will take full advantage of our situation and taunt us that God has forgotten us. " In my alarm I said, "I am cut off from your sight!"... But God IS there, He does hear us. This is when we have to have faith in what He tells us and believe that His word is true... " Yet you heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help." Ps 31:22
This week I received news about 2 women. One is a young mother who was diagnosed with stage III breast cancer. The other,a breast cancer survivor in mid-life who was just told that her cancer has returned. This time in her bones. My heart is heavy.
PS 31:24 says " Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD." "... the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine." Ps 33:18-19
We cannot look at what is presented to us when it contradicts what the bible tells us. We must look to God and His word. We must have faith that God doesn't lie, that His word is the truth. Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. Heb 11:1
Does this change my circumstance today? No, but I can change my outlook today. I can choose to rejoice in His love. I don't rejoice at these women's illnesses, but I do rejoice that they both love and serve our God and that He will be with them through these trials. He will use these circumstances to draw them and those around them, even closer to Him.
Today is a day fresh from the hand of God. When we are raised up from sickness, or are going through it or other dark times, it seems a new life is given to us. Each day, week, month, year that we live is added to our lives, as if it were created anew for this very purpose, that we should rejoice in God's love for us. We should, therefore, regard life not as our own, but as so much given to us by the special mercy and providence of God.
In honor of these two women, I choose to rejoice and be glad today for this is the day that the Lord has made.
