By Barbara Higdon
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
Many years ago, I cross-stitched verse 24 of Psalm 118; it still hangs in our bedroom. Even as a young wife with no children yet and few responsibilities, I knew I needed to be reminded daily that every day is a day that God has created. Some of us seem hard-wired to always look for the positive side of things; some of us– not so much.
This reminder that I can choose to rejoice and be glad often comes as I’m dreading a day filled with odious chores or fretting about a problem. My sampler hangs above my comfy chair in my reading corner, so I see it as I’m going to sit down. It makes me pause and express gratitude.
Psalm 118 is such a joyful hymn of praise and thanksgiving to God, that it was sung frequently—even by Christ and the disciples as they went to the Mount of Olives. It’s often quoted in the New Testament as well. The repetitive phrase, “his love endures forever” hammers home the fact that God actively loves without ceasing and He’s the one who’s watching over me.
Life’s tough, but “The stone the builders rejected, has become the cornerstone.” If Christ could sing this hymn before he faced what he had to face, then so can I.
Bob Morrison, my Sunday School teacher, loves to quote Tony Campolo, who said in one of his more famous sermons, “Remember, it’s Friday, but Sunday’s coming.” As we go through the final week of remembrance before Easter Sunday, may we face each day with the knowledge that God made this day for us—let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Sunday’s coming.