What "This Is the Day the Lord Has Made" Means in Hard Times

Psalm 118:24 celebrates a day of deliverance accomplished by God, inviting His people to rejoice in His steadfast love and saving work. Such a powerful reminder to us: True joy is never dependent on our circumstances. And though we may know this in our head, it might be hard to walk out every day. Learning to choose joy in hard times takes effort and action on our part; it requires our hearts to be set on Him. God is faithful to help us so that we can make good choices. And we can be assured that in His grace, He has made every day, and for that gift itself we can “rejoice and be glad in it.” No matter what we face, we can still believe in God’s goodness and love, for that’s what carries us through the most difficult of seasons.

And by taking a closer look at the surrounding verses, we can find even greater insight into what God may be saying. This verse and the surrounding verses are prophecies of Christ’s coming.

“This is the gate of the Lord through which the righteous may enter. I will give you thanks, for you answered me, you have become my salvation. The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone, the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” - Psalm 118:20-24

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Jesus is that gate through which all of us can be saved. He referred to these exact words in verses 22-23 when He spoke of being rejected by His own people (Matthew 21:42, Mark 12:10-11, Luke 21:17). Yet Jesus still became that “capstone,” the “cornerstone,” which is known as the most important part of the church (Acts 4:11, Ephesians 2:20, 1 Peter 2:6-7).

The capstone is the central stone at the top of an arch; it truly holds all the other pieces together. Without it, the arch would definitely fall. And so it is with us. Jesus is so crucial for our lives today. Without Him, we would surely fall; He is the only One who can put back together all the broken pieces of our lives. He is the One who is the capstone of the church, the body of Christ, both now and forever.

The Psalmist goes on to refer to this day that the Lord has made, and many agree that this is a direct reference to Christ, especially within the context of the surrounding verses. The arrival of Christ on earth paved the way for our freedom; His gift of salvation was offered to all through His sacrifice on the cross. Jesus was victorious over death and sin, and He rose again, reminding us that the door is open for us all through faith in Him.

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The Psalm continues with this: “O Lord, save us, O Lord, grant us success. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord we bless you. The Lord is God, and he has made his light shine upon us. With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar.” Psalm 118:25-27

These words may sound familiar because some of them are also repeated in the Gospels with Christ’s triumphant journey into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, and John 12:12-19). People shouted, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord,” and waved their branches high. A prophecy fulfilled. They welcomed Christ into their city and worshipped before Him. All of this, just days before their hearts would turn against Him, and He would lay down His life for the world.

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It’s interesting to note also where this chapter is located in the Bible. In the very center. And isn’t that just like God? The central chapter of His entire word points to His Son, Jesus. The Bible reminds us that Christ is “the way, the truth, and the life,” and that “no one comes to the Father, except through Christ” (John 14:6). Then doesn’t it make sense that this central place in His word gives us the answer in how to live out our lives with the freedom and joy He alone can offer?

We’re reminded again through these powerful truths that this day, every day, we’re alive in this life, is really not “all about us.” Sometimes we forget that. It’s easy to get caught up in the cycles of busyness and responsibilities. Maybe even unintentionally, we start to lose our focus and forget our calling. We want to do the right thing, yet our hearts are far away. We go through struggles and feel like God’s not listening. We want to live for Christ, yet our time in His word seems minimal, and too many distractions get in the way of our prayers. But as believers, we know that our lives are hidden with Christ in God, and because of that, every day is “His” day. He is gracious and compassionate. And He breathes His purpose and light through the sunrise of each new morning.

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We might be facing the toughest of times right now, but the truth is this: He's still given us breath for today. Jesus came to give us hope and freedom; He’s the very reason we can live with joy right in the battles and have peace that is unexplainable to the world. He's with us and will never leave or fail us. His love covers us; He gives us the strength to face every trial and obstacle with courage and grace. We can rest in the security that Truth brings.

No matter what you’re up against, be confident in God’s unchanging love for you, always. And it is written, “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 

Frequently Asked Questions about Psalm 118:24

• Does “this is the day the Lord has made” refer to every day?
  In context, Psalm 118:24 celebrates a particular act of deliverance brought about by God. It can still remind believers to receive every day with gratitude, but its original emphasis is rejoicing over what the Lord has done to save.
• Does Psalm 118:24 mean Christians must feel happy every day?
  No. Biblical rejoicing does not require Christians to deny grief, disappointment, or suffering. It means continuing to recognize God’s goodness and faithfulness even while honestly bringing pain to Him.
• How does Psalm 118 point to Jesus?
  The New Testament applies the rejected-stone imagery of Psalm 118 to Jesus. Though He was rejected, God established Him as the cornerstone through whom salvation comes.
• How can I rejoice when I am grieving or overwhelmed?
  Begin by speaking honestly to God rather than forcing yourself to feel cheerful. Rejoicing can be a quiet act of trust—remembering that God remains present, loving, and faithful even when circumstances are painful.

For Further Reading

• Who Is the Stone the Builders Rejected in Matthew 21:42?
• How I Learned to Take Joy in Tough Circumstances
• Are We Really Supposed to Give Thanks 'In Everything?'
• 4 Ways to Reflect on God’s Faithfulness Through the Seasons
• 7 Bible Verses to Cultivate Gratitude Before Thanksgiving

Study Psalm 118 with the W.O.R.D. Method

Use this Scripture-study printable to examine Psalm 118 in context, identify what it reveals about God’s deliverance, and apply its message of faithfulness and joy. Download the W.O.R.D. Method of Scripture Study printable and use it to study Psalm 118 from beginning to end. 

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