What are some of the most important days of the year for you? For many, Christmas, anniversaries, birthdays, special holidays are among the most important. These are all great days to celebrate and memorialize. At times though, GREAT days can become SAD or discouraging days.
In December, I buried my lovely bride of 27 years, making Christmas and her birthday, January 13th, not the great days they had been in the past but rather SAD ones. Because great days can become sad days, I am grateful for Psalm 118:24, which has helped to remind me that though great and memorable days can become sad ones, I can learn to BE Glad IN every single day.
Below are 7 simple reminders about Psalm 118:24 that I pray help you find a way to BE GLAD during life’s most difficult seasons.
“THIS is the day the LORD has made; We will REJOICE and be glad in IT!” – Psalm 118:24 (NKJV)
- This text is a SIMPLE statement that is easy to recall, even amid great turmoil or difficulty.
- This text is a CONSTANT reminder because everyday is just “this.” Therefore, it doesn’t matter how the day started or how it will end. You can choose to rejoice and be glad in IT.
- This is a FAITH builder. Why? Because there is a CREATOR who made “this” day. If He can create a day, there is nothing that can enter into our lives that He lacks the power to change.
- This is a PERSONAL declaration — “I will rejoice.” Regardless of what you choose to do, it should impact your thoughts, desires, or choices to rejoice!
- This is a strong RESOLUTION —”I WILL rejoice and BE glad in IT!” Let’s not just rejoice today, but choose to BE rejoicing. It should become a natural extension we are— Selah (pause and read again).
- This is a BEAUTIFUL heart MODERATOR & relaxer —”BE glad.” Being glad is healthy. Scripture says a glad heart “Doeth good like a medicine.” – Proverbs 17:22 (NKJV).
- This declaration IS A CHOICE. The commitment to rejoice and be glad doesn’t have to, and should not be, DELAYED.
For me, knowing and choosing to obey this text allows me to choose today to rejoice and be glad… And… guess what? So can you. If like David, you expected to die yesterday and woke up to see today, I suspect you would be glad and REJOICE in, and for, today’s new, precious day.
Sean Isaacs
Sales Director
STAR 99.1
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Hi Sean, I lost my Mom last year after a long and painful time of taking care of her as best I could. Also lost 2 other family members as well in the last few years. The Holidays for me this year were not what they once were. But you are right, God sees our pain and knows what we go through. He is a very present help in our time of need. Thank you for sharing your story, it inspired me to share mine.
Hi sis,
Thanks for taking to share your thoughts. Sorry for your loss. Death is not something we should ever get use to. The Bible described it as the last enemy (1 Corinthians 15). I am glad this life is temporary with all its challenges, so that we can look forward to the next life. Which is far better!
Sean
I am so sorry for your loss. I just celebrated 36th anniversary with my husband just three days ago. Truly, it would feel like we had been cut short if we did not not have so much time together. Several times, we could have easily been in the same situation. May God continue to uphold and fill your heart with His joy and perfect love. Thank you for articulating so well in a way that I’m sure will bless many. She is safely home and you will go to her someday. What a great feast we will share when God puts everything right someday. With love, Hope
Congratulations on a 36th year anniversary. What a remarkable accomplishment. Praise God from whom ALL BLESSINGS flow.
Thanks for your prayer and concern. And thanks for the encouragement.
I am glad my wife is in the presence of The KING.
Blessings, Sean, I lost my son 11/10/21, @ the age of 38. I find my self struggling with, “This is the day the lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” My heart is in physical pain without my only son. I have asked God to please take me so I can be with my beloved son. But, then I come to the realization that I have my daughter, family, and boyfriend to live for. I’ve ALWAYS asked God, for all the suffering I’ve been through my life (sexual, physical, mental, emotional abuse from my parents) I will and have accepted and forgave them, But, please don’t ever take my children, cause I can’t live without them. And here I am having to live without my precious son. I know in my heart that the only reason I’m functioning is because Jesus is carrying me and all the prayers on my behalf. Side note: I just lost my job 2/3/22. I just don’t know how to rejoice when I’m in this deep pain. Any feedback is welcomed. Thank you for sharing your story. God Bless You.
Stay strong in the Lord Josephine. Never give in, Jesus is there for you. Pray every day, never cease praying, keep your eyes on Jesus! God has a plan for all of us and if you stay in his light everyday will be better. God Bless You and Keep You in His Perfect Peace🙏🏻
Josephine , I cannot imagine losing a child . I’m so sorry for your loss of your beloved son . I know it’s not the same , but I lost my mom when she was 42 yrs old in 1979 in Jan . I was pregnant with my first child he was born 3 months later . Fast forward to 2009 and 2013 I lost 2 brothers within 4 yrs from one another of drug overdoses from heroine . 51 and 57 and 2017 my most precious aunt who was like a mom and 4 days later my nephew who also died of an overdose . My father passed as well but I wasn’t very close to him but still loved him . I was watching a dr Phil show one day and he asked a very grieving lady who lost her son “ do you think your son would want you to mope around ? Or do you think he would want you to remember the good times ? When our loved ones pass we are so selfish because we miss them here on earth but please your faith is everything I KNOW I will see my loved ones one day but until then I keep my heart open for the signs they send me I hope this helps 🌻🌻🌻
Hi Sis,
Sorry to hear about your loss. My mother lost a son September 11, 1990. That’s more than 30 years ago. She still grieves for him from time to time today. His birthday has never been the same for her. She still misses him, and grieves his absence and the loss regularly.
So I can’t imagine what you deal with as you think about the passing of your son. My heart goes out to you.
I’m glad to know that you are a follower of Christ. What a desire to please him. And so I know that you will continually find his word and his spirit to be a comfort during the hard seasons. I hope and pray that you are part of a church family that can continue to support you during this time. My church family has been a critical piece to me being able to get to a new sense of normal.
My advice for anyone that’s grieving is that you would read the Scriptures daily, pray daily, and learn how to obey God’s command to be thankful in all things. This is not easy to do, so we have to learn to do it. I do have a video or two that I created to help myself and others that are grieving the loss of a loved one. If you desire for the info when you think that can be helpful, email me at the station and I will send the information to you :). Have a blessed day!
Yes, REJOICING is difficult in sorrow.
I loved this message and I feel God sent it to me. March is a very hard month for me it is the month my husband died 15 years ago. Also many other bad things have happened to me. So I learned to dread March and go into depression. By you posting this message today I felt telling me He loves me and understands but now is the time to rejoice God has this all under control. Then I read Jeremiah 29:11 and my spirits were uplifted now my tears are tears of joy. Thank you so much for posting this reminder.
Thank you Heidi for taking time to share your challenge with the month of March. I apologize for just getting a chance to respond to your comment. I pray that as you begin the month of April you life will be filled with joy, fulfillment and comfort. Thanks for being a fan and follower of STAR 99.1. We love you!
First of all Sean, I am so sorry for your loss. I’m sure the holidays are very hard for you now. But I know God will get you through them. I lost my sister last year and my Dad this year and the holiday’s were very sad. But as you know God help’s us get through the feelings and mess that is in our hearts. He raises us up whether it’s through our kids or grandkids smiles that of course makes us melt. I smile every time I think of God doing so much good for all of us. He always lifts us up no matter what, even when we don’t realize He is doing it. So take care, chin up and keep looking up. God bless you and your family! ; )
Thank you for taking time to leave your encouragement. I am sorry to hear about the loss of your sister and dad, in such a short time. Its great to see that you are finding God’s Grace helpful during this season. I appreciate your kind words and look forward to reading more of your responses :).
Wow!!! I was so Blessed by your message today,
thank you for sharing your life with us! Psalm 118:24
is a psalm that I recite every morning no matter what I am walking through I know with God everything will be Ok!
Thank you Lori. I am glad something I shared resonated with you. I love Psalm 118:24. It is such a simple text. Easy to memorize and great reminder when things around us are not going well, THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE. We can CHOOSE to REJOICE and be GLAD. God bless you woman of God. Continue to be encouraged in the race. Your Lord is on the throne, and no one can take him off!
Sean … Bless you for sharing so confidently and eloquently in the midst of such significant loss. Leaning on His grace is the only way to manage the day by day by day reality as you go through this year of “firsts”–unending reminders of what is missing–who is missing. May He continue to console you as only our Father can … I can affirm that while it isn’t the path we wanted or expected, He will surprise you with joy yet again.
Thank you sis Peggy. You sound like a woman of great wisdom! I appreciate your encouragement and reminder that during this year of “firsts”,. God’s grace is still sufficient. He has been keeping us as we take one day at a time. April 10, will be 4 months since Deborah went home to be with the Lord. I apprecaite your love and supoort!
Sean, so sorry for your loss. I can see by the comments we all have suffered. No one will leave this earth without experiencing pain or suffering or deep loss. But we have the Bible and our Lord Jesus to comfort us. As I know Jesus died for my sins and suffering a cruel death. So he knows what we are all experiencing. One day we as believers will all be with him.
It seems the older I get the more people I lose. Right now I am mourning the passing of my friend Michael who died at 68 suddenly of a heart attack. It gets harder and harder as the years go by, but I find comfort in the Psalms and prayer. I will keep you in my prayers too.
Sis. I appreciate you taking time to leave a commnent and read thorugh some of the comments above. Yes, we all have to experience some level of pain and suffering in this life. And it does seem like as we get older, we experience more. I guess that comes with getting older.
I am sorry to hear about the sudden passing of your friend Michael. 68 is still considered pretty young today. May you continue to find God’s Grace, power and wisdom available to you during this season. I am glad to hear that you are finding comfort from reading the Psalms and prayer.
May you find the courage to continue to do the things that are bringing you strength and encouragement during this season!