The Decision of Gladness
By Toby Crowder
Mitchell County
“This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” – Psalm 118:24
Today, we often see phrases like YOLO (You Only Live Once), “Live, Laugh, Love” and other catchy phrases that encourage us to make the most of the day and the life that we are currently living. This concept is not new to humanity. One Roman poet named Horace made the statement “carpe diem” which literally means to “Seize this day” as early as 23BC. We are familiar with Bible verses that remind us of the brevity and importance of our lives. James 4:14 tells us: “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” With thoughts like this in mind, how can we Biblically and reasonably “seize the day?” To help answer this question, I want to lead you to consider a verse that I have been familiar with for most of my life. Perhaps you have heard it, or sung it, without really considering the impact and power of its simple wording. For just a moment, consider with me the words of the Psalmist found in Psalm 118:24.
This is a familiar verse to many, and we often hear it quoted and sung in different settings. It is the last of the Egyptian Hallel Psalms and was normally sung towards the last of the Passover. It is sandwiched just between the shortest Psalm (117) and the longest one (119) and most writers agree that we can reasonably believe that Jesus sang this in the upper room with the disciples at the Last Supper. This Psalm is clearly written as a call and response, much like we would hear in a choir setting. In this age of obsolescence, where everything is replaceable (except THIS day) I would like for us to consider the practical application of this thought.
The word “this” refers to the singularity of the day. “This” day in particular; is the day that you have been gifted with at this present moment. Time is the raw material of everything for without it we can do nothing; yet with time, we can accomplish everything. No one can take this day from you or steal it. It is kept for you and those who are also living on this day. In “this” day we eat, sleep, laugh, and have an opportunity to make it significant. All too often, in this busy world, we forget that our life has a specific duration. The importance of “this day” is shown in the beauty of Psalm 90: 12 “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” We are taught to celebrate birthdays and years, while the Lord instructs us to number our days! We are consumed with what is happening “now” … but eventually, that will end. Life is short… James called it a vapor. Much like on a cool morning, we can see the fog on the mountains… and later it’s gone. Such is our life, says James. We appear, we shine, we love and are loved, and then we are gone. May the Lord remind us daily of the importance and brevity of “this” day.
We are also reminded that the Lord has made this day, and He is in control of it! We know that he is high, holy, glorious, matchless, and perfect in wisdom and love, yet a personal God who loves His children. God is presented in Scripture as being eternal… Psalm 103:17 says, “From everlasting to everlasting.” And Mal 3:6 says “I change not” … He is in full and total control of every day that we live. We may not know what tomorrow holds, but we can have certainty and confidence because we know who holds tomorrow!
Lastly, notice the phrase “has made.” God has made and given us this day, and it will not pass our way again. Are we making the best possible use of this day? In these last days, we should be even more attentive to God and His place. It has rightly been said that we worship our work, work at our play, and play at our worship. How we choose to spend “this day” is totally up to you and me. Will we decide to rejoice in the Lord and His provision?
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Toby Crowder serves as Pastor of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Spruce Pine. He and his wife Leslie have been married for almost 30 years and have two daughters, Emilee, and Katy. Feel free to contact him at MCfamilyforChrist.org or mtcarmelsprucepine@gmail.com
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Read more from Toby Crowder here.
