The Day the Lord Has Made
Have you ever heard a fellow Christian speak of receiving a rhema? Rhema is Greek for “word” or “utterance,” like an epiphany or spark of inspiration, from God’s word. This terminology may not be as popular today as it used to be, but the concept is very important. I am very thankful for the rhemas from Scripture that have shined in my life. When a rhema happens, the text becomes a precious treasure and I get a very real sense that the text was written for me.
One such rhema occurred when my devotional reading included a section of the Psalms that I thought was very familiar. Psalm 118:24 declares, “This is the day which the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (NKJV). That morning, however, a new joy filled my soul when I noticed something that I had previously missed.
This is a prophetic text speaking of the coming of the Messiah, and the specific day that God has made is the day Messiah is recognized. Though it is true that every day is made by God and is to be lived for His purposes, the specific blessedness of this verse is seen when we recognize that it is part of a Messianic prophecy. The Psalmist is here prophesying of the day when “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone” (v. 22). Prophetically, the psalmist breaks forth in rejoicing in anticipation of this holy day that all of heaven is anticipating. The Lord Himself has made this day. The grace of God leads man to this day. And the redeemed of the Lord have entered that day!
Since receiving that vital rhema, I try to focus on the fact that Jesus, recognized and glorified as the Savior, is the day which the Lord has made!
In that sense, every day that a lost soul finds salvation is that very day of God prophetically spoken of in Psalm 118.
Our Heavenly Father desires that all mankind will experience that day. He has commissioned His Church to herald that day! For “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9, NKJV).
Prayer for the week (based on 1 Thes. 5:23-24): Lord Jesus, the very God of peace, sanctify me completely, through and through. May I rejoice in the blessing of knowing Your redemptive work in my whole spirit and soul and body! And may I stand in this blessed grace unto Your coming, Lord Jesus. Lord, I testify and believe that You, the God who calls me to this grace, are faithful and You will do Your mighty work in me as I seek You in simple faith. I know this is your will for me and for all. Equip me, O God, to shine Your light in this world! For Jesus’ sake, amen!
Dan Gilmore is district superintendent of the Northern Michigan District.
Written for devotions with Holiness Today.
Please note: All facts, figures, and titles were accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of original publication but may have since changed.
