Bible Reading: Psalm 118:24-29
This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Please, Lord, please save us. Please, Lord, please give us success. Bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
We bless you from the house of the Lord. The Lord is God, shining upon us. Take the sacrifice and bind it with cords on the altar. You are my God, and I will praise you! You are my God, and I will exalt you!
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.
A Reflection:
It has been really good over the last few weeks to become aware of the lengthening days and the appearance of the snowdrops and daffodils in the garden, all heralding the approaching spring. Looking forwards to warmer days and lighter nights is good, but I wonder whether that is how God really wants us to live, or whether we risk missing out on the blessings that God has for us each day, even in the dark and cold winter months?
King David, to whom Psalm 118 is attributed, did not have an easy life, indeed other parts of the psalm reflect on the conflicts he had in his life. In spite of this he affirms here,
‘This is the day that the Lord has made.
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.’
Each day we have is a gift from God. Does it really matter how cold or dark the days may be when he has blessed us with life and with hope, when his love for us is everlasting, when he forgives us and gives and peace and we have the assurance of his presence with us as we journey through each day? What better reasons can we have for rejoicing and being glad in him?
Yesterday, with all its joys and sorrows, has gone. Tomorrow, with its hopes and uncertainty will come in time, but today, with all its potential is here, now. Let us rejoice in the gift of each new day and trust the God who saves us to bring us safely and successfully through it.
And, at the end of each day, let us join with David and say, ‘You are my God, and I will praise you! You are my God, and I will exalt you!’
And let us give thanks to him, for he is indeed good, and his faithful love endures forever.
Pray:
Thank you Lord for the blessing of this new day.
Help me to discover the blessings you have in store for me as we journey together through it.
Amen
Great is thy faithfulness