“This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24)
We’ve all had them. Days, that is, when nothing seems to be going right. Things aren’t working the way they are supposed to. Times when we feel we should go back to bed, because we certainly must have crawled out on the wrong side this morning. When this occurs, it’s not unusual to hear the phrase – “Today’s just not my day.” In saying so, we often muddle through what remains of it, just hoping that tomorrow will be better and run a little smoother. If we’re fortunate enough to pick up our Bible on a day like that, we would be very blessed to receive comfort from the words of Paul which he spoke to the church at Corinth. “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day” (2 Cor. 4:16).
Corrie ten Boom, a survivor of a Nazi concentration camp, came to understand the value of each day as she learned to trust and serve God. She became a well-known author of faith who said, “This is what the past is for! Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see.” On April 19, 1995 – 168 people died when a bomb was set off at the Alfred P. Murrah building in Oklahoma City. Decades later, a mother of one of the victims stated that she has learned to make the most of each new day because you never know what tomorrow might bring. At times like this when we hear of a tragedy that others must endure, we would do well to pause and simply thank our Heavenly Father for whatever kind of day we might be having. It’s actually rather scriptural when you think about it. “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring” (Proverbs 27:1)
On April 15, 2015, it was just a normal day for 29 year-old Jason Warnock of Idaho. He was doing what he did most days, driving to work, when he saw debris near the road. He looked up to see a SUV suspended on the edge of a cliff, being held in place only by a chain-link fence. It hadn’t been a very good day for 23-year-old Michael Sitko who crashed this vehicle, at least not until Warnock parked his car and pulled Sitko out to safety. Warnock, unidentified at the time, chatted briefly with the victim, waited for the arrival of emergency personnel, and casually left the scene to go to work. Police later stated that the SUV may have been intentionally crashed, and the only thing that saved the driver was the fence and the unknown hero. Warnock, who later came forward, thought differently: “I think maybe God put me here at the right time.”
Years ago, I heard the late Robert H. Schuller say these words at the end of one of his Hour of Power services: “Lord, lead me to the person you wish to touch through my life as I serve you this day.” I try to remember to close my devotions each morning with that thought. For I have come to realize that, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23). Our life is by no means an accident. We are here for God’s intended purpose, and we have a limited amount of time. Scripture is clear that “A person’s days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed” (Job 14:5).
So when you feel yourself saying, “Today is not my day” – you’re absolutely correct. Instead, we learn to understand that every day is His, a gift from God. On those days when it might seem like you don’t have a purpose, recognize that you are allowing life circumstances to define rather than trusting God to lead. When our priorities become smothered by the stuff of life, we will not be open to God’s prodding spirit. As the psalmist said, “Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). Even though we will certainly become busy with our daily challenges, each day also provides a chance for us to serve and love Him more. We simply have to watch and listen for His call.
REFLECTION: In what ways are you presently living for God? How is God glorified when you are following the purpose He intends for your life? How can you make time each morning to ask the question, “Lord, what are you leading me to do this day?”
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