February 5, 2024 - Good Morning! It's Monday, February 5.
Yesterday, at First Baptist Church of Center, we sang the scripture chorus "This is the Day", a little praise song written in 1967 by a 23-year-old pastor named Les Garrett. After listening to his song, I would have guessed that he was from Texas and grew up with country gospel music. But in fact, Les Garrett was born in New Zealand and the melody of "This is the Day" is a variation on a folk song from Fiji - imagine that!
The lyrics are from Psalms 118:24. We sometimes call the Psalms "The Bible's Hymnbook", and the children of God have been singing from that hymnbook for over 3000 years. But what is this "day" that the song, and the verse, are referring to? First, let's look at the context. Psalm 118 - a chapter at the approximate center of the Bible - was written at a time of great trial and trouble. That makes the verse that starts and finishes it all the more powerful -
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.
And then we read verses 21-23, that immediately precede our "lyrics" verse.
I will give You thanks, for You answered me; You have become my salvation. The stone that the builders rejected has become the Cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day . . .
The psalmist, a thousand years before Bethlehem, is speaking of Jesus. This is a "messianic" psalm and verse 24 celebrates the Cornerstone of our Faith.
So, when you're having a good day, you'll certainly want to sing this little song. And when you're having a bad day, you'll certainly need to sing it. But whether the day is good or bad, whether it's the Lord's Day or a Monday - this song of worship celebrates our Messiah, our Redeemer, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Sing it again this morning . . .
This is the day! This is the day that the Lord hath made, that the Lord hath made!
I will rejoice! I will rejoice and be glad in it, and be glad in it!
This is the day that the Lord hath made! I will rejoice and be glad in it!
This is the day! This is the day that the Lord hath made!
Meet you back here tomorrow,
Bro. David
dmathis@fbccenter.org
