{"id":1034,"date":"2024-07-01T15:04:55","date_gmt":"2024-07-01T15:04:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/?page_id=1034"},"modified":"2025-12-15T20:29:39","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T20:29:39","slug":"this-is-the-day","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/this-is-the-day\/","title":{"rendered":"THIS IS THE DAY!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>THIS IS THE DAY!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Psalm 118<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-headings-color has-text-color has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-6fea999452c00985eaf92f3bbe7a2adc wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Introduction:<\/strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Psalm 118 <\/strong>is a joyous psalm. Its one of celebration \u2014 but celebration in the midst of challenging times. It has a lot to say in it\u2019s <strong>29 verses<\/strong>, but maybe the most important thing it says to us is to <strong>VALUE THIS DAY<\/strong>! For, <strong>THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As a boy, I was first introduced to these words through a song our church would sing \u2014 which makes perfect sense, because this psalm was a song (first sung by the people of Israel, and then the church).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now, as you\u2019ll see in a moment \u2014this <strong>psalm<\/strong>, like the others we\u2019ve studied leads us to <strong>FIND<\/strong> <strong>JESUS<\/strong>! So, as we begin, I want to encourage you to be on the look out for Him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-headings-color has-text-color has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-422d5b8eb8f21b470f28f28e9e4943a2 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>TRANSITION:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Well, in its original context\u2026this is a psalm (attributed to <strong>David<\/strong>)\u2026and was sung as a celebration. In fact, it was one of a group of psalms sung during the celebration of PASSOVER.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But, what <strong>David<\/strong> was celebrating was the difference God makes when He is welcomed into our day!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You know what I find interesting? It\u2019s that <strong>David<\/strong> seems to say, <strong>VALUE THIS DAY. <\/strong>And yet, most everyone seems to live their lives focusing on another day. So often we choose to <strong>neglect this day<\/strong> and try to <strong>live in another<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\u2014 THE PAST: For some, the day they want to look to (MOST) is a day in their past.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some people live all their lives in the rear view mirror. Always looking back\u2026wanting to return to another day.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Maybe it\u2019s because they loved the past so much. Maybe they loved a moment in time that is somewhere behind them now, and they dream of going back.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So people think of the past as their glory days\u2026.and would give anything to repeat it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But for others, the past is filled with heartaches and pain. For them, they\u2019d like to go back and change things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Maybe we made a mistake, or hurt someone, or failed in some way\u2026maybe our past is filled with sin and shame that we\u2019d like to go back and wipe away. But we can\u2019t. That day is gone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What has happened in the past is past. We can\u2019t change it \u2014 but we can be forgiven for it.&nbsp; But the good news is that God will NEVER hold us liable for those mistakes, or failures, or sins that we confess to him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If we will give them to Him, then He\u2019ll give his forgiveness tp us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For others,\u2026the day they want to look to the most is a day that hasn\u2019t happened yet. It\u2019s the FUTURE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\u2014 THE FUTURE: A day yet to come.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I bet you know some people like this. They are always <strong>thinking<\/strong>, <strong>talking<\/strong>, <strong>hoping<\/strong>, <strong>longing<\/strong>, and <strong>looking<\/strong> for another day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sometimes they say things like:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2014I\u2019ll be glad when this week is over. Or\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2014I can\u2019t wait to get out of high school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I once heard of a man who spent his entire life living in the future. When he was a young man, his quite wealthy father had said to him, \u201cWhen I die all this will be yours.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And from that day on, he lived in the future\u2026just waiting for his dad to die.&nbsp; He lived his whole life planning for the fortune he was going to receive. Because of this, he never planned for a career and didn\u2019t pursue his education or any trade.&nbsp; He wasn\u2019t worried about a job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He just went on from day to day dreaming about what he was going to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The problem for him was that his dad was a strong and healthy man. And so, even when the man turned 70, his father was still living.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That man wasted his entire life looking forward to a day that may have never come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I\u2019ve witnessed this kind of thinking first hand (as a pastor).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I\u2019ll never forget how, several years ago now\u2026I had a couple attend our church who just sat and watched. They never got involved in the life and ministry of our church. They just watched from a distance.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For years I begged them to get involved. Time and time again I\u2019d ask. I even went to their house and sat with them and begged them to serve, to participate, to get involved in a small group or bible study. Anything.Just don\u2019t be observers \u2014 participate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But time snd time again they turned me down, their reason was they were certain that God was going to direct them to move it of state. Bu they didn\u2019t want to be too involved \u2014 so they could leave easier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Well, what they thought would be days, turned to weeks, and then to months, and then to years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They finally did move away. But it was some <strong>ten years later<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sadly, that couple spent <strong>ten long years<\/strong> sitting in the sidelines, unwilling to get on the field because they were\u2026looking to another day. But their interest to look for another day, caused them to miss the opportunity to live in the one in which they had been placed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Well, the truth is, <strong>we don\u2019t own the future<\/strong>. We have no claim to it.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For that reason, the Bible urges us <strong>to live in this day!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And that because <strong>THIS DAY IS THE DAY HE HAS MADE<\/strong>. More than that, <strong>David<\/strong> tells us:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-headings-color has-text-color has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-ba100e3984348cf6f273dfc432c7f87d wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1.\u00a0 THIS IS THE DAY OF GOD\u2019S LOVE.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Just look at what David says in <a href=\"https:\/\/biblia.com\/bible\/esv\/Ps%20118\">Psalm 118<\/a>. In the first 4 verses he says, <strong>THIS IS THE DAY OF GOD\u2019S LOVE. <\/strong>Look at it with me. David writes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-2-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-98a5f86b15d5939e3399cc1dff2ec711 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>1<\/em><\/strong><em>&nbsp;Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. <\/em><strong><em>2<\/em><\/strong><em>&nbsp;Let all Israel repeat: \u201cHis faithful love endures forever.\u201d <\/em><strong><em>3<\/em><\/strong><em>&nbsp;Let Aaron\u2019s descendants, the priests, repeat: \u201cHis faithful love endures forever.\u201d 4&nbsp;Let all who fear the Lord repeat: \u201cHis faithful love endures forever.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Psalm 118:1-4 (NLT)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Notice again, in <strong>verse 1, David<\/strong> says \u2014 <strong>give thanks<\/strong>\u2026acknowledge <strong>God\u2019s<\/strong> <strong>goodness<\/strong>\u2026and His love. <strong>Celebrate<\/strong> it \u2014 and <strong>GIVE<\/strong> <strong>THANKS<\/strong>. Why? Because,<em> His faithful love endures forever.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So what <strong>LOVE<\/strong>?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I know we tend to use the word love for any and everything\u2026and because of that, it really cheapens the authenticity and wonder of <strong>LOVE<\/strong>. But don\u2019t think of God\u2019s <strong>love<\/strong> like you our love.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because, our love is sometimes seems petty. Right? Think about it. We say things like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2014I love tacos, or&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2014I watching sports, or&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2014I love to sleep in tomorrow.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lately, I\u2019ve loved the <strong>Hawaiian<\/strong> <strong>Shaved<\/strong> <strong>Ice<\/strong> from <strong>Penguinos<\/strong> <strong>Hermanos<\/strong>. (O man are they good!) But, that\u2019s not real love. And it&#8217;s that really the problem with our love &#8212; <strong>it&#8217;s just too small. But know this &#8212; God\u2019s love is great. <\/strong>It\u2019s so much deeper and more majestic.\u00a0In fact, <strong>David<\/strong> uses a <strong>Hebrew<\/strong> word for <strong>LOVE<\/strong> \u2014 the <strong>Hesed. And that\u2019s a really strong word. <em>Hesed<\/em><\/strong> is not merely an emotion or feeling but involves action. <strong>The BIG idea<\/strong> of this word is that it communicates total loyalty or faithfulness within a relationship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It goes beyond what\u2019s expected. It gives the impression of someone who does more. And goes further. It\u2019s what\u2019s expected\u2026AND THEN SOME!\u00a0In fact, the message of the gospel\u2014and God\u2019s act of forgiveness and salvation through <strong>Jesus<\/strong> is rooted in God\u2019s <strong><em>hesed<\/em><\/strong><em> kind of <\/em><strong><em>love<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>And so, David tells us that no matter what anyone else may offer \u2014 God gives those in His family a love that surpasses every other love. And more than that \u2014 IT IS ETERNAL.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, as <strong>David <\/strong>tells us, this is a good day \u2014 because, even when things are bad, GOD\u2019S lOVE continues. It\u2019s what <strong>Jeremiah<\/strong> understood&#8230;and expressed in the book of <strong>lamentations<\/strong>. Which was a a story of sorrow and grief after the desolation of his nation. While things were bad\u2014and he was grieving \u2014 even so, he said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-2-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-f2f6b67ce901a1749faf2f29e50c6dfd wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cBecause of the Lord\u2019s great love,<\/em><em> (His <\/em><strong><em>HESED<\/em><\/strong><em>) <\/em><em>we are not consumed, for his mercies never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness\u201d<\/em> (Lam. 3:22-23).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That\u2019s what <strong>David<\/strong> was getting at \u2014 and so he says, <em>\u201cThe love of God endures forever.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/em>And this is true for all of us\u2026no matter you status in life. So he says,\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-2-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-12ec3055688944cde5748b48451c92e9 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>2<\/em><\/strong><em>\u00a0Let all Israel repeat: \u201cHis faithful love endures forever.\u201d<\/em><strong> <em>3<\/em><\/strong><em>\u00a0Let Aaron\u2019s descendants, the priests, repeat: \u201cHis faithful love endures forever.\u201d<\/em> <em>4\u00a0Let all who fear the Lord repeat: \u201cHis faithful love endures forever.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His point was you don\u2019t have to be a <strong>SOMEBODY<\/strong> to receive God\u2019s love \u2014 As long as you know Jesus and have experienced salvation\u2026then you can give God praise, because<strong> His Love ENDURES FOREVER.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That one fact changes everything. It takes an <strong>ORDINARY<\/strong> day, and makes it <strong>EXTRAORDINARY<\/strong>. Because, <strong>this is the day of God\u2019s love!<\/strong> So LIVE IN THIS DAY!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In addition to this, <strong>David <\/strong>leads us to discover another thing worth celebrating. And it\u2019s that\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-headings-color has-text-color has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-0bcb78e10c1a9b5c2a87662dce918b72 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2.\u00a0 THIS IS THE DAY OF GOD\u2019S HELP.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the next series of verses the <strong>Psalmist<\/strong> describes the challenge of life. Things were bad. Nothing was going his way. And yet, in the midst of it all \u2014 God was aware!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">More than that God was there. And, He was there to HELP!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Look with me at<strong> verse 5.<\/strong> Here<strong> David&nbsp;<\/strong> writes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-2-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-30641a56c30186fc54e8c387d43dcb60 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>5&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><em> In my distress I prayed to the Lord, and the Lord answered me and set me free. <\/em><strong><em>6<\/em><\/strong><em>&nbsp;The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear.<\/em><em>What can mere people do to me? <\/em><strong><em>7<\/em><\/strong><em>&nbsp; Yes, the Lord is for me; he will help me.<\/em><em>I will look in triumph at those who hate me.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Psalm 118:5-7 (NLT)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In <strong>verses 8-12, David<\/strong> describes the battles he faced \u2014 and yet, again and again, <strong>God<\/strong> empowered Him to overcome. But look down at <strong>verse 13<\/strong>, here <strong>David<\/strong> picks up this them of <strong>God\u2019s help <\/strong>again when he writes,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-2-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-a0faf3b481ec3f021bababcf5ae4a29e wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>13<\/em><\/strong><em>&nbsp;My enemies did their best to kill me, but the Lord rescued me. <\/em><strong><em>14<\/em><\/strong><em>&nbsp;The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory. <\/em><strong><em>15<\/em><\/strong><em>&nbsp;Songs of joy and victory are sung in the camp of the godly. The strong right arm of the Lord has done glorious things! <\/em><strong><em>16<\/em><\/strong><em>&nbsp;The strong right arm of the Lord is raised in triumph.The strong right arm of the Lord has done glorious things! <\/em><strong><em>17<\/em><\/strong><em>&nbsp;I will not die; instead, I will live to tell what the Lord has done. <\/em><strong><em>18<\/em><\/strong><em>&nbsp;The Lord has punished me severely, but he did not let me die.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Psalm 118:13-18 (NLT)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Remember, this is a <strong>testimony of David<\/strong> \u2014 recognizing that <strong>TODAY IS THE DAY OF GOD\u2019S HELP! <\/strong>But it\u2019s also a prophetic statement that speaks of one who would come \u2014 The messiah, <strong>Jesus the Christ<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Okay, I need to tell you \u2014 that this <strong>Psalm<\/strong> was a special psalm known as a <strong>Hallel<\/strong> <strong>Psalm<\/strong>. It was one of the psalms that <strong>God\u2019s people <\/strong>would sing during <strong>Passover<\/strong>. As they remembered the way <strong>God<\/strong> had been their help back in <strong>Egypt<\/strong> \u2014 when the death angel had passed over all those homes which had been bathed in the Blood of the Lamb.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But the gospels tell us that <strong>Jesus<\/strong> and <strong>His<\/strong> <strong>disciples<\/strong> \u2014 on the night of His <strong>betrayal<\/strong>, gathered together and <strong>sang<\/strong>. And this is one of those songs they would have sung. And it brings so much meaning to this \u2014 when you think of <strong>Jesus<\/strong> sing these words in <strong>verse 17<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-2-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-df76ee7de9e51ad5d867e604a818ea97 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>17<\/em><\/strong><em>&nbsp;I will not die; instead, I will live to tell what the Lord has done.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And so, this is where we <strong>FIND<\/strong> <strong>JESUS<\/strong> again in this psalms. Because, just as these words profess \u2014 <strong>Jesus<\/strong> went to the cross with the<strong> full confidence <\/strong>of His resurrection. <strong>Though he would die, yet would He live!<\/strong> And that\u2019s what <strong>verse 18<\/strong> says,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-2-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-2af66442d8ea928cfcf540a610ecb7ff wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u2018<\/em><strong><em>18<\/em><\/strong><em>&nbsp;The Lord has punished me severely, but he did not let me die.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Understand, this psalm isn\u2019t describing an easy day \u2014 but, it\u2019s a <strong>DAY OF HELP!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And just as it was for David \u2014 so is it for you and me.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No matter what you\u2019re facing in life today, God is present, He is aware of your need, and He will be your help!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So be encouraged today.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>YOU CAN TRUST THAT <\/strong><strong>GOD WILL BE YOUR HELP<\/strong><strong>\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>EACH AND EVERY DAY!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So LIVE IN THIS DAY!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Well, finally, <strong>David <\/strong>leads us to discover one final thing worth celebrating.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>This IS THE DAY OF GOD\u2019S LOVE,&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>This IS THE DAY OF GOD\u2019S HELP. <\/strong>And lastly\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-headings-color has-text-color has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-44330d3c2e63beea2d442f764a0788db wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3.\u00a0 THIS IS THE DAY OF GOD\u2019S SON.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In <strong>verse 19<\/strong>, <strong>David<\/strong> writes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-2-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-d7dc9ddf1f23ee8701240812f2fb7259 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>9<\/em><\/strong><em>&nbsp;Open for me the gates where the righteous enter; and I will go in and thank the Lord.&nbsp; <\/em><strong><em>20<\/em><\/strong><em>&nbsp;These gates lead to the presence of the Lord, and the godly enter there.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Psalm 118:19-20 (NLT)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">More than speaking of the temple \u2014 David was prophetically pointing to Jesus.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even Jesus would testify to this in <strong>John<\/strong> <strong>10:9<\/strong>, <strong>Jesus<\/strong> affirms this \u2014 when He says,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cI am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Well, <strong>David<\/strong> continues in <strong>verse 21<\/strong> \u2014 as He tells us <strong>TODAY IS THE DAY OF GOD\u2019S SON<\/strong>, when he writes,&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-2-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-6603df6d233c9868ac201b5f13be6cfc wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>21<\/em><\/strong><em>&nbsp;I thank you for answering my prayer and giving me victory! <\/em><strong><em>22<\/em><\/strong><em>&nbsp;The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Psalm 118:21-22 (NLT)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here again, we find <strong>Jesus<\/strong> in this psalm. As the <strong>cornerstone<\/strong> \u2014 <strong>David<\/strong> is saying <strong>Jesus<\/strong> is our foundation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Everything that God created you to be must be founded upon \u2014 and rooted in Jesus. This psalm reminds us that IF WE TRY TO LIVE on our own \u2014 we will come up short. The ONLY WAY to really live\u2026is to build our lives on Jesus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, let your <strong>identity<\/strong> be defined by Jesus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let your <strong>Interests<\/strong> be defined by Jesus.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let you <strong>hopes<\/strong> and <strong>dreams<\/strong> be defined by Jesus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let you <strong>attitude<\/strong> be defined by Jesus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let your <strong>life<\/strong> be defined by Jesus.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And all of this can be true \u2014 because <strong>Jesus<\/strong> became our <strong>salvation<\/strong>. So <strong>David<\/strong> says,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-2-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-f5d04df927589c5b9be9fd6c28ddddb7 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>23<\/em><\/strong><em>&nbsp;This is the Lord\u2019s doing and it is wonderful to see. <\/em><strong><em>24<\/em><\/strong><em>&nbsp;This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Psalm 118:23-24 (NLT)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The day David is describing was the day <strong>Jesus<\/strong> paid the price of our sin on the cross.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And <strong>THAT<\/strong> day, was <strong>THEE<\/strong> day\u2026and because of <strong>THAT<\/strong> <strong>DAY<\/strong> we can <strong>REJOICE<\/strong> <strong>TODAY<\/strong>!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because, <strong>THAT DAY changes EVERY DAY!&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Well, <strong>David<\/strong> closes this psalm with a cry of faith\u2026as he says, in <strong>verse 25,<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-2-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-ede9e6a545ec7bc0fa4c9e7841a2d86a wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>25<\/em><\/strong><em> Please, Lord, please save us. Please, Lord, please give us success. <\/em><strong><em>26<\/em><\/strong><em>&nbsp;Bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord. We bless you from the house of the Lord. <\/em><strong><em>27<\/em><\/strong><em>&nbsp;The Lord is God, shining upon us. Take the sacrifice and bind it with cords on the altar. <\/em><strong><em>28<\/em><\/strong><em>&nbsp;You are my God, and I will praise you! You are my God, and I will exalt you! <\/em><strong><em>29<\/em><\/strong><em>&nbsp;Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Psalm 118:25-29 (NLT)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And, so \u2014 he ends where he began\u2026as He says,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-2-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-10cabcdfd0d50b382ac02cd6fd6ca91b wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>29&nbsp;Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Psalm 118:1-29 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, LIVE IN THIS DAY!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-headings-color has-text-color has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-c330bff3fc7691e3f8c06713d44388d8 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Conclusion:<\/strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As we end this morning, I want to remind you that TODAY IS THE DAY for you to trust God. Because,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>This IS THE DAY OF GOD\u2019S LOVE,&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>And\u2026This IS THE DAY OF GOD\u2019S HELP.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>And\u2026This IS THE DAY OF GOD\u2019S SON.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, live this day for Him.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since you can\u2019t live in the past, and you can\u2019t live in the future \u2014&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Make sure you LIVE TODAY FOR JESUS!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-headings-color has-text-color has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-b22c158c3c5bb9cc2c6fcff11b1ec2e4 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>CLOSING PRAYER:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-1-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-a35f189792ea45a53ce601cc44cb416c wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Let\u2019s pray\u2026<\/strong><em>Heavenly Father, we thank you for Jesus. Thank you for your grace and mercy and unending love that makes everyday a great day.\u00a0Touch our lives with you glory and grace. And make us more like you.\u00a0<\/em>Help us, God, to rejoice this day and to trust You.\u00a0 No day could be better than that! <em>We pray this in Jesus name! Amen.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>And now, just one more thing:<\/strong> If you\u2019re here this morning, and you\u2019ve listened to everything we\u2019ve said toady \u2014 from the worship and testimonies to the message, and through it all, you sense <strong>God<\/strong> <strong>stirring your heart<\/strong> <strong>to trust in Him<\/strong>. To seek Him. To know Him, would you respond by lifting your hand today\u2014 to let me know that your want to know <strong>Jesus<\/strong>. (Saying, \u201cI want to be saved today?\u201d)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If that\u2019s you, would you be brave enough to <strong>slip your hand up and acknowledge that today<\/strong>? As you do, a ministry team member is going to bring you a card (so that you have a <strong>tangible<\/strong> <strong>way to respond<\/strong>), to <strong>God\u2019s<\/strong> <strong>prompting<\/strong> in your life today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Yes, we are so proud of you! <\/strong>In light of your desire to surrender your life to <strong>Jesus<\/strong>, would you pray with me? Maybe you\u2019d say something like this:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-1-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-d90322cf7832bdde669ec0e5a8d8428c wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Heavenly <\/em><\/strong><strong><em>Father<\/em><\/strong><em>, I admit that I am a sinner and I\u2019ve chosen my way over yours too often. But all that changes today. Because, I believe in Your Son, Jesus. I believe that He came from Heaven to earth to pay for my sin. I believe He died on the cross, shed His blood, was put in a grave \u2014 and rose again. So, today \u2014 I put my faith in Jesus. <\/em><strong><em>Forgive me of my sin<\/em><\/strong><em>. Save me and give me new life in you forever. I pray this in Jesus name, Amen.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you prayed today and made a decision to follow <strong>Jesus \u2014 would you let us know?<\/strong> <strong>We are so proud of you.<\/strong>This is the greatest decision you\u2019ll ever make.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>THIS IS THE DAY! Psalm 118 Introduction:&nbsp;&nbsp; Psalm 118 is a joyous psalm. Its one of celebration \u2014 but celebration in the midst of challenging &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1034","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1034","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1034"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1034\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2659,"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1034\/revisions\/2659"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1034"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}