"This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."
Psalm 118:24 (NIV)



Sometimes this verse sounds and feels like a vibrant reflection of a heart filled with praise, a joyful affirmation of God's goodness, majesty and power- but at other times it feels like a cruel mockery. It is not easy to "rejoice and be glad" when it seems there isn't anything to be glad about. When we are in pain, or grieving, or sad, or suffering it sounds so trite to say "be glad!" Yet by God's power and grace we can still rejoice and be glad.

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."
Psalm 23:4 (NIV)



The difference between Christians and those in the world is not that we have our suffering and pain miraculously taken away, but that even in our suffering we can know that we do not walk alone in the valleys of shadow. The apostle Paul did not become hopeless in the face of suffering, but he understood that we are tempered and refined through trial. He discovered that in Christ our suffering can be used to transform us and build our character.

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."
Romans 5:1-5 (NIV)



Rejoice in the day the Lord has made!