This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it (Ps 118:24)
My father-in-law was a painting and decorating contractor. He was always honest and conscientious, and often won contracts with the local council. I have memories of him heading off early in the morning for a day of painting school railings, while the Northern Irish rain threatened to make the work all but impossible. But he was also a faithful, humble follower of the Lord Jesus. One of his many sayings, even while looking out at the rain, was ‘the Lord never made a bad day yet’. His example helped me to see that it was always possible to praise the Lord, no matter what the day looked like.
Even outside of our present lockdown situation it is not difficult to find things we could complain about. The speakers in our news programmes, including the reporters, seem incapable of seeing anything good in what the authorities do; sometimes they seem determined to convince us of the total wickedness of anyone with responsibility of any kind! One could easily go to bed thinking ‘what a terrible day! And it’s only going to get worse!’
What a difference for those who know the Lord Jesus! We have so much to be thankful for! So much to praise God for! If you were to write a list of all the things you can be thankful for, would the day be long enough to complete the list?! ‘Rejoice!’ says Paul, from his prison cell, and he goes on to speak of God’s provision and His peace. How can he be so positive while in prison? Because he knows that ‘in all things God works for the good of those who love him’ (Rom 8:28)
The Lord never made a bad day yet – let’s praise Him for today
