Psalm 118:24 — This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

“I’m just not in the mood.” Have you ever heard someone say that to you? Have you ever said it? These words imply that the person isn’t in the right state of mind or attitude for whatever is happening in that moment. Maybe they are not in the mood for company. Perhaps they are not in the mood for being teased. 

Imagine if we lived our lives only acting on what we were in the mood to do. We might never get out of bed in time to be at work. We might not read our Bibles or pray. We’d leave our babies in dirty diapers in the middle of the night. Our faces would never darken the door of a gym. We wouldn’t leave the house when it was cold. Our gas tanks would never get refilled. There are so many things in life that would break down if we only let our mood dictate our actions. 

Why do I bring this up? Because Christians are not called to let our immediate mood dictate how we live, and the posture of our hearts. Our passage today reminds us that each day, including this one, is a day that the LORD has made. This day is made by God and given to us. How should we receive this day we are given? The psalmist tells us. We burst forth in rejoicing and praise, and are glad in this day. Notice it never says, “if you feel like it.” There are no qualifications or exceptions listed. Everyone, but especially the children of God, is to rejoice and be glad in the day the LORD has made.

How do we do that when we’re not in the mood? We direct our minds and hearts to all that God has given us. We take inventory of His many blessings, provisions, safety, and health He has freely given us. This day we have is a gift, not a right. We may be dragging along, dreading something we have to do, or hoping a circumstance changes, but that’s not where we focus. We focus on all that we have. We focus on the gift of a warm bed, morning coffee, a roof over our head, a vehicle, a job, and food to nourish our body.

Everything we have flows directly
from His outstretched hand.
This day is one of those gifts.
Rejoice and be glad in it. 

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Reflection & Journal:
- What are some ways you let your mood dictate your actions?
- How do we combat our mood so that we can obey God’s commands, especially this psalm? 
- Why is the LORD worthy of the praise of your life today?

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