This is the day the LORD has made.
We will rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24, NLT)
There are the Rules of Golf, and there are the “New Rules of Golf, Spring 2020 edition”:
– One rider per cart, unless you’re family
– Don’t put your hands on the flagstick
– Stay at least six feet from all your partners—and maybe wear a mask
– Try to touch nothing but your ball when you reach in to take it from the hole
– Don’t show up to your round too early, don’t linger after your round too long
Courses around the country have been making every modification possible to stay open, if their state and local governments will let them. In some counties here in California, that has meant being closed, then open, then closed again. It’s a lot to get used to. A “new normal,” people say.
As I was reading Psalm 118 in my Life Application Bible, one of my favorites, a few things stood out as a perfect fit for these times we are going through. I love how the Bible works like that! Written more than 3,000 years ago, this psalm still has very real meaning for us today.
We live amid changing situations. We need a God whose love doesn’t change.The Life Application Bible provides notes alongside the scripture. At the beginning of Psalm 118, this note is given: “Theme: Confidence in God’s eternal love. God’s love is unchanging in the midst of changing situations. This gives us security.”
That sure sounds like the kind of psalm we need right now, doesn’t it? We live (and not just right now) amid changing situations. We need a God whose love doesn’t change.
Then verse 24 jumped out at me. It’s familiar, of course, but if we ever need a reminder to rejoice in the day, it’s probably during these times. This time the note was a great encouragement—and better written than I could ever write:
There are days when the last thing we want to do is rejoice. Our mood is down, our situation is out of hand, and our sorrow or guilt is overwhelming. We can relate to the writers of the psalms who often felt this way. But no matter how low the writers felt, they were always honest with God. As they talked to God, their prayers ended in praise. When you don’t feel like rejoicing, tell God how you truly feel. You will find that God will give you a reason to rejoice. God has given you this day to live and to serve him—be glad!
When I pray, I use the acronym ACTS (A-Adoration, C-Confession, T-Thanksgiving, S-Supplication). By the time I get to supplication (asking of God), I have the confidence that God is good and he’s got this!
Hang onto God during the new normal, as he is in control.
—
Dereck Wong
May 11, 2020
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The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.
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