Psalm 118:24 is one of the most familiar verses in Scripture — probably top ten, if there's such a ranking. Written by David, it sits right before Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the Bible. It's also one of the most misused verses in its context — the one on the coffee mug, the shirt, the banner hanging in the kitchen.
"This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." — Psalm 118:24
That's all good — even great, in the right context. But it helps to actually understand what David is doing here.
Not a Pep Talk
This isn't a motivational line meant to be recited each morning to pump up our mood. Back up six verses to verse 18, and David is describing being horrifically chastised by God. That's the context he's writing out of. Israel had defeated every surrounding nation — against every expectation, with an army that was nothing compared to those they faced. And in the middle of all that, David had failed in his faith and been disciplined for it. He always repented, which is exactly why Scripture calls him a man after God's own heart.
So when David writes "this is the day the Lord has made," he's giving God the credit for where the nation stands — not hyping himself up for the day ahead.
God's Day, Not Ours
The verse isn't about deciding today needs to be a good day. It's recognizing that this is God's day — He created it, not us. It's not ours to make good or bad; that's already settled. David is giving God the honor and glory, shouting out in a psalm: You made this day, so let us rejoice and be glad in it.
And rejoicing here is a command, not an emotion. "Let us rejoice and be glad" — it's an instruction before it's a feeling.
Not "Fake It Till You Make It"
This isn't the same as putting on a happy face while ignoring how things actually are — the forced smile through a job you don't like or an obligation you're dreading. That's faking it while looking past the struggle or the success. David is describing something different: a decision to rejoice in spite of the struggle, not in denial of it. The struggle or the victory is still real. The decision to rejoice happens anyway, because God allowed us to walk through either one.
That's what it looks like to actually walk this verse out — you're on your way to an important meeting, it's ninety-five degrees, and you get a flat tire. The first response is genuine praise, not gritted-teeth positivity. That's the verse doing what it was designed to do.
Recognition, Not Self-Help
This isn't a self-help verse. It's recognition — giving God the day that belongs to Him. The challenges are given to strengthen us; the victories are given to promote His kingdom and His glory. Keep it on the coffee mug, keep it on the wall. Just remember what it's actually pointing to: not making ourselves feel better this morning, but rejoicing in who made the day in the first place.
Even in success, remembering who gets the credit removes the pride from the equation. The talent, the skill, the circumstances, the relationships, the wins — none of it originated with us. This is His day. We're simply the ones invited to steward it, to be a partaker in it, and to rejoice in it regardless of which kind of day it turns out to be.
You can catch this devotional and every weekday message live on carltondewaynedunko.com, Monday through Thursday at 9:15 AM Eastern. Carlton also co-hosts the original 9:15 Devotional, where you'll find the full video archive and more ways to connect.