Tuesday of Easter Week 1 – Devotion

 
Text: Psalm 118:19–24

Some mornings, joy feels like a stranger. We wake up not to celebration, but to anxiety, deadlines, conflict, or exhaustion. In a world so often filled with heaviness, is it really possible to rejoice? Psalm 118 answers with a bold yes. “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” But this isn’t the voice of someone with an easy life—it’s a psalm of thanksgiving rising out of hardship. The psalmist has been surrounded by enemies, pressed hard on every side, and brought low. And yet, the Lord has delivered him. In context, this is a royal psalm—likely used in temple worship as Israel’s king entered the gates to offer thanksgiving for military victory and divine rescue. The people would have sung these words to celebrate God's covenant faithfulness.

But the Church has long recognized a deeper layer in this song. The early Christians read Psalm 118 as prophetically pointing to Jesus—the stone the builders rejected, who became the cornerstone (v. 22). It is He who passed through the gates of death and rose again. It is His day—Easter day—that gives ultimate meaning to our rejoicing. And now, because of His victory, every day is touched by resurrection hope. The Lord has made this day—not merely as a unit of time, but as a gift of grace in the shadow of the empty tomb.
When we find it difficult to rejoice, we can be honest. The psalm itself gives room for lament. But it also anchors our emotions not in circumstances but in the Lord’s unchanging mercy. His steadfast love endures forever (v. 1), and that means our joy is not fleeting. When we remember that Christ has conquered sin and death, even sorrowful hearts can begin to lift their eyes.

So let today be a small resurrection. It may not feel like a festival, but you can open your mouth in praise. You can name three gifts from God before noon. You can serve someone with quiet love. You can go for a walk and give thanks for the sunlight, even if it hides behind clouds. These are not duties but delights—the fruit of a grace already won. Jesus has made this day holy by rising into it. You don’t have to chase joy; it has come to find you.

Transform Our Hearts Through Prayer
Lord of the Resurrection, You have made this day, and You have made us new. Even when joy feels far off, remind us that You are near. Give us eyes to see the gifts You’ve placed in our path, and hearts to respond in praise. Holy Spirit, help us rejoice not in our circumstances, but in Your unshakable love. Teach us to celebrate the day You have made—even in sorrow, even in weakness. For Jesus is alive, and that is enough. Amen.