What A Day!!!

This is the day the Lord has brought about.  We will be happy and rejoice in it.  Psalm 118:24 NET   Have you ever had one of those days when rejoicing in the Lord is not in your heart and far from your mind?  

Last night you did not sleep.  You woke up at midnight sick and spent most of your sleeping time in the bathroom.  As you quickly ran to the bathroom, due to a gurgling stomach, you stubbed your toe on the bed, tripped over the laundry basket of folded clothes, and almost stepped on the dog who was asleep by the bathroom door.  Once there you realized you were too sick to go back to bed so you laid on the floor feeling miserable.  

After finally going back to bed and dozing off to sleep your alarm goes off.  It’s 6:30 a.m., time to get up, get breakfast, feed the dog, and get the kids ready for school.  Exhausted but committed, you roll out of bed, take a shower, put your jogging pants and a t-shirt on, comb your hair, brush your teeth and go downstairs with a smile on your face rejoicing in the Lord.  “NOT!”  

The fact is you probably are still in your robe, your hair is a mess, your eyes are blood shot and your breath smells like rotting cantaloupe. Once downstairs, your kids spill the milk on the table, drop the bowl of cereal on the floor, and let the dog in with muddy paws.  The Bible says this is the day that the Lord has brought about; we will be happy and rejoice in it.  

Are you rejoicing in the Lord yet?  Isn’t that what we should do?   The truth is, many of us have  days when we do not feel like rejoicing in the Lord.  In fact, some of our days are full of discouragement and hopelessness.  Instead of embracing the joy of the Lord we disconnect from Him and thus, our day becomes a day of desperation, just trying to make it through.  

So, how do you embrace the Lord with an attitude of joy when your day has fallen apart from the very beginning?  Do you allow it to get the best of you or do you embrace it as James 1:2 says to do: “and count it joy when you have trials and tribulations.”  And think about some of the saints of old.

Noah’s trial was the flood and look at his outcome!  (Genesis 6:18)

Sarah’s trial was no children and look at her outcome!  (Genesis 21:1-2)

Joseph’s trial was his brothers and look at his outcome!  (Genesis 41:37-45)

Moses’ trial was Pharaoh and look at his outcome!  (Exodus 14:13-31)

Joshua’s trial was Jericho and look at his outcome!  (Joshua 6)

David’s trial was the giant and look at his outcome!  (1 Samuel 17)

Job’s trial was Satan and look at his outcome!!!  (Job 42:7-17)

Daniel’s trial was the lions and look at his outcome!  (Daniel 6:16-24)

In all of these trials, each individual called upon the name of the Lord.  When you ask God for help, He will embrace, encourage, and empower you to press on!  It says in His Word, “I am with you and I will never leave nor forsake you!” Deuteronomy 31:8. No trial big or small, is too hard for God.  When you experience one of those days embrace it and look to God for wisdom and peace to carry you through. 

Below are four things to help embrace your trial and fill it with God’s joy.

Pray to Him…As James reminds us in verse 4:8, draw close to the Lord and He will draw close to you.  When your heart is in communion with God you will experience the peace that surpasses all understanding and His joy will prevail.  Do not let your lack of communication with Him remove your Joy in Him.  

Praise Him…Tune into your favorite Christian radio station or pick your most favorite Christian CD.  Listen and concentrate on the words and sing along with the CD if the Holy Spirit prompts you.  When your heart is in praise, rejoicing in His blessings and His promises, you will find it difficult to focus on your trials.  Do not let your attitude remove the Joy of the Lord.  

Read your favorite Bible story.  Here are a few of my favorites…

Daniel and the Lions Den (Daniel 6:16-24)

David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17)

Joshua and the Battle of Jericho (Joshua 6)

Moses and the Parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:13-31)

Focus on the outcomes and the blessings that the Lord gave to these men of God.  Do not let your discouragement remove the Joy of the Lord.  

Journal.  Start your day off by listing ten blessings you have received from God.  God desires to help you through your trial when you call upon Him and ask Him for His strength.  Do not let distractions remove the Joy of the Lord.  

Trust in the only wise God who will embrace, love, and protect you from the trials of everyday life.  

What a Day!!!!  Embrace it with the Joy of the Lord because He is your strength!