“This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24)
I like to personalize verses. “This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.” Each morning this is my prayer. It reminds me of who has given me another day and the choice I have in how I will approach the new day. I have the choice to rejoice! This makes rejoicing personal and intentional. Today, I am expanding this verse to “This is the year the Lord has made, and I will rejoice, and I will be glad in it.”
The beginning of a new year is full of possibilities. I want to clean, organize, and clear out the clutter. Additionally, I begin my traditional January diet and exercise routine. I usually vow to eat healthier, exercise more, and do more brain puzzles. These well-intentioned plans last about a month.
This year, I am focusing on strengthening my spiritual core. I started thinking about developing strong spiritual muscles last year. It was the result of back pain and Pilates. Because my back kept going out, I was seeing my chiropractor twice a week. He told me the real problem was my core; it was weak; it needed strengthening. He recommended Pilates. I resisted of course. It sounded demanding and not much fun. He persisted, and finally, I signed up. It was hard and it certainly wasn’t fun. However, having the back pain was worse.
I exchanged my visits to the doctor for Pilates. I put my body through physical maneuvers I could not fathom. In the beginning, I could barely do a push-up, a bridge, or any of the other crazy things the instructor had us do. I kept going, I kept working and I kept pushing my body. After 18 months, I realized I was doing it! I could hold myself up. I could do a modified push-up on my fingertips, no less! My physical core was strong. I actually had muscles!
Practice, Perseverance, and Consistency
It took practice, perseverance, and consistency. My experience has become a spiritual parable for me. We don’t grow spiritual muscles overnight. This growth requires the same effort as building physical muscles– practice, perseverance, and consistency.
Scripture often compares growing in Christ to training as an athlete. Successful athletes spend years developing their skills through hard work and practice. There are no “instant” long distant runners or accomplished dancers. I am realizing the development of a strong spiritual core requires the same commitment.
Most often, my spiritual muscles grow as a result of challenges. Paul describes this growth in Romans 5 when he says “and not only this, but we exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, and hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
James puts it this way “Consider it all joy, brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4) One thing leads to another as we allow God to build inner strength through trusting Him. I love the promise of II Peter 1:10 “if you practice these things you will never stumble.”
Preparation for Disappointments and Great Joys
The result of spiritual strength is preparation, not only for the storms of life, and the unexpected disappointments but also for the great joys and surprises the Lord has for us. Without a strong spiritual core, I might miss an opportunity from God because I am not prepared.
I have the daily choice to view what appears to be an obstacle, as an opportunity in the hand of God. It often takes a shift in my thinking. It’s like turning on a light. Psalm 36:9 says “For with Thee is the fountain of life; in Thy light we see light.” Turning on my spiritual switch is a choice; the choice to view my circumstances through God’s perspective. I know when I do, it changes everything. He provides solutions I would never imagine. He illuminates my path.
Returning to my morning verse; “This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.” It isn’t easy to rejoice when things are not going my way. Rejoicing, in spite of disappointment, is actually a safeguard. The apostle Paul writes in Philippians 3:1 and Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord, to write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you. Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say rejoice!”
It is a new day! It is a new year! Let’s rejoice! Whatever this year brings God is with us, God is for us, and God is in us.
In the meantime, I’m putting Christmas decorations away, preparing for tax season, and watching my little winter garden grow.
Blessings for a joyous 2019.
Personal Parables is the blog of Dyann Shepard. Get Dyann’s complementary study in Proverbs and prayer guide, What to Do When You Don’t Feel Good Enough. If you need encouragement to remember the truth about yourself in times of doubt and anxiety, this free 5-day study is for you. Follow Dyann and Personal Parables on Instagram and Facebook. Dyann is available for speaking, guest blogging, and article writing.
My spiritual SPA – Free and available daily?
S – Search and study the scripture.
P – Pray, praise, and practice these things.
A – Apply and anchor my life to Jesus.
Rejoice! Scripture for Meditation
These passages of scripture are for further meditation, connected to the post titled, “Rejoice! It’s a New Year.”
Psalm 105:4 (NASB)
Ephesians 3:16-19 (NASB)
…that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
maybe able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
John 15:5 (NASB)
I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.
Psalm 62: 1-2, 5-8 (NIV)
Ephesians 6:10-17 (NASB)
The Armor of God
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.
Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist the evil day, and having done everything, stand firm.
Stand firm, therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Music to Reflect on Rejoicing in the New Year
Rejoice! Listen to these songs and reflect on how we can rejoice in this upcoming year (the Lord has made.) These songs complement my post titled, “Rejoice! It’s a New Year!”
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