The Lord Is With You
Psalm 118:24This is the day that the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it!
This day is the Lord's making; rejoicing is the fitting response. Lent includes gladness—not only sober inventory. The day you have is gift, even with its limits. Rejoicing does not erase confession; it keeps confession from becoming joyless religion. Name three features of this Friday that prove gift: breath, a meal, a chance to pray. Refuse the habit of despising ordinary days while waiting for "better" ones. Made by the Lord means sacred enough for gladness. Sing something. Step outside if you can. Let gladness be an act of agreement with the Maker about His day. Gladness on an ordinary Friday trains you for worship on harder Fridays. Practice rejoicing while the day is still mild. Refuse to despise small gifts while you wait for larger ones.
PrayerLord who made this day, I choose gladness without denying what is hard. Tune my heart to rejoice in Your gift of today. Amen.
