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

Last week, pedestrians Tyrone Hamilton and Alisha Bailey were hit by a truck. They had just finished eating a sandwich at SUBWAY® and were waiting for a bus, when a red truck jumped the curb and slammed into them.

As of this writing, Tyrone is recovering from some minor bruises, bumps, and scrapes; Alisha remains in critical condition. The man who was driving the truck is in jail charged with assault, possession of a controlled substance, leaving the scene of an accident, driving on a revoked license, and careless driving.

This news story from last week seemed to be nothing more than a passing tragedy, the kind of item that is reported and forgotten. The story might have stayed that way if I hadn’t read something Tyrone said. He told reporters, "I thank God every day that he gave me another chance. I want to start living my life right and doing what I'm supposed to do. Because who knows what could have happened to me."

That’s pretty good thinking for a 19-year-old high school student.

In truth, today God has given each of us another chance. Now that doesn’t mean we are in control of what is going to happen to us. As Tyrone’s story proves, we’re not in charge of the events which swirl around us. We can sail through the day without any speed bumps or complications, or we might find ourselves in the back of an ambulance. We may be the recipients of countless smiles and continuous good will, or we can be struck by a truck driven by a person under the influence of drugs.

Although nobody knows what today is going to bring, Christians can join with the Psalmist and say, “This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” As children adopted into God’s family of faith, we can be sure that no matter what happens, no matter what comes, Jesus our Savior is with us.

If there are problems, we know the risen and ever-living Christ will help us through those troubles. If there are overwhelming tragedies that leave us helpless, He will be there offering His limitless strength. If we need to talk, He will listen. With the knowledge that the crucified and risen Christ is by our side, we can, like Tyrone, start living our lives right and do what we’re supposed to.

Dear reader, be sure: Christ, not circumstance, is in control of this day. The Savior, not unanticipated situations, are in charge of the day the Lord has made. That knowledge allows us to rejoice and be glad.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for being there today. May I rejoice and be glad that no matter what happens to me, no matter what comes my way, I can rejoice and be glad. In Your Name. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: 2 Chronicles 27-28    Acts 19:1-20

To Download Devotion MP3 to your computer, right click here and select "Save Link As" or "Save Target As" or "Download Linked File As"