This is the Day!

By Diana Rose  (WITHIN Devotional Contributor)“This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” -Psalm 118:24 
Eve: 
This is my first day here and we are all together. Everything is new and good. Adam and I are so happy and we are rejoicing in all this beautiful creation. God has made so many amazing things! We walked together with Him in the cool of the evening tonight and we continue to marvel at all He has made in this paradise for us to enjoy. We are giddy with gladness for He is so good. 
Eve: 
Today our hearts are breaking. We have been cast out of Eden. We will have to labor and sweat toiling the land and raising children. It hurts so much to be separated from the Lord, and I don’t feel the same closeness to Adam I felt before. But God has promised to provide one who will crush that deceiving serpent's head. God is still good. Although my eyes are streaming with tears, I am exceedingly glad for His mercy. 
“This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” -Psalm 118:24 
Mary: 
Today was long and hard, but so amazing. I went into labor after several days of journeying to the city of David in Bethlehem. The city was bursting at the seams with people when we arrived. I could barely hold myself together as Joseph searched for a private place for me to deliver the baby. Now that He is here I cannot express my joy in spite of my fatigue and the humble surroundings we find ourselves in. 
I am holding the Son of the Most High in my arms, and as I gaze into his tiny face my heart is overflowing with gladness and joy. He has come! 
A Samaritan woman: 
This is the day my whole life changed. Today at Jacob’s well I met a Jewish man and He spoke to me! I was so shocked because no one ever speaks to me, especially not a Jewish man! He talked to me about living water and He asked me questions that pierced my heart. When I discovered that He knew all that I’ve ever done, I began to wonder who He was. My heart is so free and light after talking with Him. I must go tell the others! I believe he is the Messiah! 
“This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” -Psalm 118:24 
Mary Magdalene: 
Today a miracle happened, and I am shaking with awe and wonder! Mary and I went to the tomb, but we never expected what happened when we got there! It was terrifying and wonderful all at the same time. Jesus wasn’t in the tomb, but we saw an angel whose appearance was like lightning and his clothes were as white as snow. He told us, “I know you seek Jesus who was crucified, but He is not
here, for he has risen, as he said.” Then he told us to run and tell the disciples. We took off full of great joy to share the news! He is risen, rejoice! 
Diana: 
I am tempted to believe that today is just another ordinary day with the same mundane rhythms and routines as yesterday. It’s so easy to believe I am just a cog in the machine at work, just another face in the crowd at church, just another account on Instagram. My days turn into weeks, turn into months and years with no apparent purpose or significance. 
But Jesus changes everything. 
Jesus gives life, he gives mercy and hope. Jesus gives joy and freedom to our broken and enslaved hearts. Jesus is our victory and our redeemer. When we acknowledge that each day is from Jesus and for Jesus and through Jesus, our pain has purpose, our weakness has worth, and our struggle has significance. 
The Bible says, “this is the day the Lord has made.” He made it. He has made every single day since the beginning (see Genesis 1.) He planned this day, and His plans are perfect. His purposes will be accomplished today both in my life and yours. 
“Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Our job is to respond in faith believing that Jesus has made this day, to respond in gladness having experienced the love of Jesus, and to rejoice, making much of Him and His good gift of today. 
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The weekly devotionals seek to encourage you to dig deeper into Scripture as you take the time to daily read, meditate, and internalize the verses in the devotional, along with the passages provided below to give greater context. Take the time to read them throughout the week (repetition is important) and ask the Holy Spirit to help you grasp what God is showing you about Himself, about you, and how to live in light of these truths. 
Passages to read/memorize/meditate:
 Read Psalm 118

Questions to Reflect on:

1. How will you respond to this day knowing that it was handcrafted by the lover of your soul?