This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

                                                                                                     Psalm 118:24 

Each new day brings new opportunity. Everyday, we are all given the same twenty-four hours. Our outlook and the way we approach the day can greatly affect our enjoyment and use of that day. The Psalmist reminds us that everyday is a day “which the Lord has made.” As believers, our response should be one of joy and gladness.

On average, we need around eight hours of sleep per day. Some sleep more and some less, but the average is around eight. That means that we will spend approximately one-third of our lives sleeping. This is the way that God has designed our bodies. So that leaves us with around sixteen hours a day. Do we consistently make the most of that time? There are several truths to keep in mind when assessing how to use your day.

(1) Every new day is a reminder of God’s goodness. Consider the following:

The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.

                                                                                                Lamentations 3:22-23 

When we wake, we have the opportunity to praise God. He is a loving God, a kind and compassionate God and these characteristics never cease nor fail. They are given to us afresh every morning. What a tragedy it is when we “hit the ground running” without even a thought about God. We chase down our next task or appointment as if that is the true reason for our existence all the while missing the tremendous blessing of spending time with our Creator. I would like to encourage you to set aside some time everyday to spend alone with God. It can revolutionize the way you view your day. Every new day is a reminder of God’s goodness!

(2) Every new day is an opportunity to live for the One who gave Himself for us. Consider the following:

For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.

                                                                                                       2 Corinthians 5:14-15 

The Christian life is a life controlled by the love of Jesus. And when the love of Christ takes center stage throughout our day, we are freed to live powerful, loving, and effective lives for the kingdom of God. This controlling is done on a relational level as we spend time with God. And the driving (controlling) force mentioned is the love of Christ. In other words, when we know, from experience, that we our loved by God and that we have been equipped with power from God’s Spirit, we can then live out the day in victory and joy. Using our gifts, we can then spend time doing things that are of eternal value and not just of the temporal. God has given every believer a gift that is to be used to help others. As we find and engage that purpose for our lives, the kingdom grows and we are fulfilled. Every new day is an opportunity to live for Jesus!

(3) Every new day is an opportunity for the lost to be saved. Consider the following:

Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the Lord, and He will have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.                                              

                                                                                                               Isaiah 55:6-7 

This passage from the Old Testament has been fulfilled in the Person of Jesus Christ. The gospel is good news and is offered to Jew and Gentile alike. When we call on the name of the Lord, asking Him to save us, He does. In Jesus, we are shown all of God’s compassion and pardon. In a relationship with Jesus, we are no longer held under the bondage that comes from the Law. We are freed from its curse and are forgiven and righteous in the eyes of God. The judgment that comes to the world because of sin and unbelief will escape the Christian simply because he has placed his/her faith in what Jesus has already accomplished on the cross. If you are not a Christian, today you can become one. Acknowledge your sin to God, admit your need for a Savior, and then ask Him to save you and to make you into a new creation in Christ. God is faithful and will save. Every new day is an opportunity for an unbeliever to receive eternal life!

This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!