“This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 (ESV)

The beach was scarcely populated as I sank my bare feet into the shimmering sand. Waves rushed forward as if to say “hello,” then shyly retreated out to sea. I was looking for unbroken shells along the shore, which was carpeted with bits and pieces of shattered treasures polished by the toss and tumble of the tides.

Sometimes whole is hard to find.

Looking up from my hunting, I spied an unexpected treasure — a “sudden glory” moment.

A young woman pushed her elderly friend or relative in a wheelchair to the water’s edge. The wheelchair’s large “sand wheels” sank into the shore as the welcoming waves rushed to wash over the woman’s bare feet and shins like greeting a longtime friend. Foamy fingers of water wrapped around her legs in a warm embrace.

Wispy gray hair waved about as every inch of her wrinkled face smiled into the wind. When she lifted her face toward the sun, she closed her eyes as if in worship. In her silence, I could almost hear her heart praising God for another day to experience the beauty of His creation.

God, I whispered, I want to be like her when I’m her age.

Through the roar of the ocean, it was as though His gentle whisper answered my heart: Why wait?

Those two words shook me from my complacency!

Like you, I have a looming to-do list and an even longer prayer list, but I never want future concerns to overshadow the gift of this day. Why wait?

One psalmist wrote, “This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). The word “rejoice” here is translated from the Hebrew najilah, which also means “to spin around.” That sounds like dancing to me! “Be glad in it” is translated from the Hebrew samach, which also means “to brighten up, be blithe, gleesome.”

And what day was the author talking about? This day! Today! Let us rejoice today!

Here are a few other verses that stir my heart to praise God for this day.

• “I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving” (Psalm 69:30, NIV).
• “Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me” (Psalm 103:2, NLT).
• “I will praise you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done” (Psalm 9:1, NLT).

The elderly woman in her sand-wheeled chair was a gift to me that day. As I passed by her upturned face, I noticed rivulets of tears trickling over her smile. My tears of gratitude matched hers.

Heavenly Father, I am overcome with gratitude today. Help me to see past the daily to consider the divine. This is the day … this one right here … that You have made. I will rejoice and be glad in it. I praise You for who You are and what You do. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

OUR FAVORITE THINGS

In Sharon’s book A Sudden Glory: God’s Lavish Response to Your Ache for Something More, you can discover how to experience the divine in the daily and the miraculous in the mundane. Right in the middle of your busy day, God is longing to commune with you! Sharon’s book shows you how to recognize that still, small voice.

ENGAGE

When we don’t know what to pray, we can always pray God’s Word. It’s the same with praise and thanksgiving! Click here to download a free list of 20 Bible verses to praise God for who He is and thank God for what He does.

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FOR DEEPER STUDY

Psalm 34:1-2, “I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad” (ESV).

Psalm 34:1-8 is a wonderful passage to refer to when praising God. Read these verses and consider: How does this passage encourage you to praise God for today? What does verse 5 say about the faces of those who praise God? How does that apply to you and me?

Let’s praise God together. In the comments, note something you are thankful for this day.

© 2025 by Sharon Jaynes. All rights reserved.