So often during the various services held to celebrate Easter we hear the words: “This is the day which the Lord has made: let us rejoice and be glad in it.” These words are taken from Psalm 118:24.
The most difficult thing in life is to live in the present. Most of us dissipate the present moment by regretting the mistakes of the past, or by anticipating the troubles of the future. Hence the present moment, with its opportunities and responsibilities, keeps escaping us.
In contrast to this, the word of the psalmist is given to us for reflection on Easter Day: “This is the day which the Lord has made.” This is the day in which we are all living. All the past days are gone forever; those to come have not yet arrived. So we are reminded to live for this one.
This day is weighty; this day decides who you are and what you can become This day you must face your problems squarely; this day you must be a faithful spouse, a concerned parent, a conscientious employee, a true disciple of Christ. This day is weighty because God made it; He is in it.
What has God done to enable us to live not only in the present but also in His presence? “Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death. And upon those in the tombs He bestows life.” It is a day which God has made!
In eternity God planned our salvation, ordaining that His Son be born, suffer, die and rise again on set days in order to save us. Because there were such days, we can be at peace with God today. Each day now comes as a precious gift of God, and we can rejoice in it!
“This is the day which the Lord has made!”
