by Neva Rae Fox

Read
This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118

Reflect
The first words I utter every day are thanks to God for a new day, a new beginning, a new start, or a re-start.  “Rejoice in the day the Lord has given; the Lord has given indeed” is the prayer I voice, a clear variation of this segment of Psalm 118.

Whether the day is one of joy, or if sadness may be on the horizon, or if I am facing an unknown and sometimes daunting journey, I am thankful for this new day.  I look at the dawn of each new day as a day that will be filled with promise, a day that will be filled with hope, a day that will be filled with thanks, a day that the Lord has given to me. And I rejoice.

As my feet hit the floor, throughout my early morning exercise, as I run to the train, when I sip that first delicious (and somewhat life-giving) gulp of coffee, I rejoice in the new day that the Lord has given.

It is a good thing to start the new day with thanks and joy. Yes, there are often concerns that face the new day, but I still rejoice in the day that the Lord has given.  Even in my moments of facing difficulties or problems, I still am thankful for the day the Lord has given.

“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Respond
Take a moment each day, early in the day, to pause, and to give thanks for the new day. You will find this practice inspirational and enriching.

It doesn’t take a lot of time – just a few moments.  Gradually, you will grow to realize that you are pausing at moments throughout the day to give thanks, not just as you wake and face the new day.

“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”