“This is the day which the LORD has made;
We will rejoice and be glad in it.”  Psalm 118:24  
 
Every day is a precious gift from our Lord, therefore we need to treat it as such!  As we saw in last week’s message, it is the Lord who directs our steps.  This in itself should cause us to rejoice!  For we are living in a time when we are bombarded with bad news constantly, it is a steady diet from the media.  But we, Believers, have the Good News! 
 
“For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  
“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”  
John 3:16-17 
 
Therefore, as the writer of Hebrews admonishes,
“…let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”  Hebrews 12:1-2
 
So we sing:
  “Keep your eyes upon Jesus
   Look full in His wonderful face,
   And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
   In the light of His glory and grace.”
 
How can we not rejoice?  God is in charge!  He has told us to fear not!
“Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”  Isaiah 41:10
And again, in Vs. 13,
“For I,  the LORD your God, will hold your right hand,
Saying to you ‘Fear not, I will help you.’”
 
Then Hebrews 13:5-6 tells us,
“Let your conduct be without covetousness, and be content with such things as you have.  For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake  you.’
“So we boldly say:
‘The LORD is my helper;
  I will not fear.
  What can man do to me?’”  
 
So then, we can rejoice no matter what the day may bring. We are never alone.  The Father and Jesus has sent the Holy Spirit, the Helper, the Spirit of Truth to dwell in each Believer.  
 
These are some of the things we know of Him--(Read the verses in context to see what Scripture is telling us of Him.)
“…that He may abide with you forever.”  John 14:16 
“…He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I (Jesus) said to you.”  John 14:26
“And when He (the Holy Spirit) has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness and of judgment.”  John 16:8
“…When He, the Spirit of truth has come, He will guide you into all truth…”  John 16:13
 
As the Apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 4,
“Rejoice in the Lord always.  And again I say, rejoice!  Vs. 4
“Let your gentleness by known to all men.  The Lord is at hand.” Vs. 5 
And in 1 Thessalonians 5:16.
“Rejoice always.”
 
Philippians 4:4 has been set to music and we sing:
  “Rejoice in the Lord always
   And again I say rejoice.
   Rejoice in the Lord always
   And again I say rejoice.
   Rejoice, rejoice, and again I say rejoice,
   Rejoice, rejoice, and again I say rejoice.”
 
Thank you Most Holy God, Father, Jesus and Holy Spirit for your loving care and protection in this hostile world we live in!  You are Omnipresent so we are always in your presence!  Help us to always be aware of this truth: that we are never alone.  Thank you Lord!  Amen