Casandra Martin

“The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” – Psalm 118:22-24

Psalm 118:24 is a favorite verse. It reminds us that God’s fingerprints are on this day, that He molded and shaped it for us, and that every moment is filled with His grace, provision, and presence. The context of this verse helps us see even deeper into the heart of God. Today’s joy is rooted in the day that Jesus went to the cross and the day that He rose triumphantly from the tomb. On those days God unleashed all of heaven’s power, grace, mercy, and purpose into today. All joy, all peace, all courage, and all hope flow from the marvelous things Jesus did for us.

Today is a day for rejoicing, renewal, remembrance, awe, humility, and joy. Jesus died for me. This amazing truth changes everything. Seeing the cross helps me count the cost of my sin. It reminds me to surrender to deep love, and stand in wonder at the lengths to which God will go to pursue me and make me His own.

Jesus lives! The empty tomb is a source of unending joy, amazement, and transformation. Because He lives, I can live, really live in all of the abundance and grace that God has stored up for me since before creation. The power of the resurrection is the power that fuels the purpose God longs to unfold in my heart.

My Jesus Resolution today is to rejoice. I can rejoice today because Jesus is my Redeemer. His sacrifice ignites today’s joy, fuels today’s purpose, and empowers today’s surrender. I want to be deliberate about going to the cross and empty tomb and spending a few minutes remembering, repenting, and rejoicing. Jesus died and Jesus lives. It doesn’t get better than that.