This morning I awoke to an old song:

This is the the day the Lord has made.

I will rejoice and be glad!

This is the the day the Lord has made.

I will rejoice and be glad!

This is the the day the Lord has made.

I will rejoice and be glad!

Jesus is King! Come now and sing! Rejoice and be glad!

I took the admonition as straight from the Holy Spirit, the same Spirit who’ve I’ve asked to help me rejoice in my God in all circumstances. Not for their sake, but for HIS!

But ya’ll already know that I’m flawed (which only means, because of Jesus, that I’m still Free to Live As Worthy!) So even though I awoke to such a happy song (based on Psalm 118:24), I wanted to burrow down beneath the covers. I may have asked my hubby to hold me for a bit. And okay, I might have felt the well of tears as I faced the day’s tasks, challenges, and questions.

I got out of bed and spent a few moments with King David in Psalm 69. Maybe it wasn’t the best passage to choose. It’s entitled “A Cry of Distress.” But good old David still hung in there in his distress. In verse 3 he says, “I’m weary, exhausted with weeping. My throat is dry, my voice is gone, my eyes are swollen with sorrow,” Then he says something I underlined with my pretty pink pen. “and I’m waiting for you, God, to come through for me” (TPT).

David whines a while longer (with good reason. I am NOT judging here. I am in no place to judge), and then he says in verse 13, “But I keep calling out to you, Yahweh! I know you will bend down to listen to me, for now is the season of favor.” Out came my pen. “Because of your faithful love for me, your answer to my prayer will be my sure salvation.”

Then in verses 16-17 David said some stuff that made me write, “yes, Lord,” with that pink ink of mine. Wrote those words three times.

“Oh, Lord God, answer my prayers! I need to see your tender kindness and your grace,”

Yes, Lord.

“Your compassion, and your constant love.”

Yes, Lord.

“Just let me see your face, and turn your heart toward me.”

Yes, Lord.

And then I think awhile about how God is faithful. About how Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross drew us near to God. How we are always one with Him. He is always with us whether we feel Him or not. How his kindness, grace, compassion, and love is always ours. How His face and heart is ALREADY turned toward His New Covenant children.

And I’m grateful, but I whisper, “But I really like it when I feel You, Lord. When I hear You. When I sense Your tangible presence.”

I scan the next verses full of David’s angst. Then comes verses 31-34, and out comes the pink pen again. “For I know, Yahweh, that my praises mean more to you than all my gifts and sacrifices.”

Oh, God! Help me praise. Let me rejoice in my God!

“All who seek you will see God do this for them, and they’ll overflow with gladness. Let this revive your hearts, all you lovers of God! For Yahweh does listen to the poor and needy and will not abandon his prisoner of love. Let all the universe praise Him! The high heavens and everyone on earth, praise him!”

And then I know I will come here. To write to You. I place my Bible near my computer instead of next to my recliner.

I will declare that THIS is the day our God has made!

I will will rejoice and be glad in it!

I will praise God for He is worthy of praise!

How about you?

Come now and sing! Jesus is King! Rejoice and be glad!

~ Paula Moldenhauer (www.paulamoldenhauer.com)

PS Just for fun I looked up the old gospel tune on YouTube. I was surprised with the first one I found brought tears to my eyes even as my toes began to tap. I listened to it the whole way through, nine minutes of a powerful admonition to rejoice. Maybe you’ll enjoy it too:

If your taste tends toward a different direction, there is also a lovely choral arrangement of Psalm 118:24. Some theme, totally different approach. Soothing!

Here’s the way I remember the old chorus:

And here’s a special arrangement with children:

He has made me glad.

He has made me glad.

I will rejoice for He has made me glad!

Until Next Time,