Psalm 118 is a remarkable song which contains some of the most profound, and commonly quoted, lines in Scripture. One of the lines I grew up singing in the line of a famous children’s song, “This is the day that Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (118:24) The children’s song has a jovial and upbeat vibe, it feels like a warm summers day with an ice cream cone in your hand. However the context of the Psalm reveals something different. The Psalmist describes the steadfast love of the Lord lasting forever, but gives some history to their experience. Here are a few lines: “Out of my distress I called upon the Lord…All nations (enemies) surrounded me…I was pushed hard, so that I was failing…I shall not die, but I shall live…the Lord disciplined me severely…” Life for the Psalmist was full of stress, anxiety, impossible decisions, unforeseen attacks, unfair judgements, life threatening altercations. In other words, not a care free summers day with a cherry on top. Yet, the author trusts that the events of day to day life belong to the Lord and His plan of salvation and sanctification. How does that strike you?

There are two alternatives to this world view. First, life is nothing more than a series of random events with no reason or rhyme to the tragedies or joys in our life. Second, life is guided by an impersonal/spiritual force which moves at a whim without accountability to all humanity or you as an individual. Our culture too often takes the second view, more and more people consider themselves spiritual but refuse to define that “force” as something knowable outside their own intuition. This Psalm strikes against our cultural expectations. Today’s events are in fact being constructed and dictated by a personal God with a reason, and they may not all be what I, personally, would want. The Christian understanding is that we will rejoice in today because God’s nature is love, even in His sovereignty over today’s events. Rejoice in God’s love for you in today’s events. Give thanks to the Lord for He is drawing you to Him through the tragedies, mundane details, and blessings of today. In this we have hope in the midst of trial, purpose in the rut of schedule, humility in the abundance of blessings. Let us be glad with today, He has made it for His glory and our good.

Ben Melli