Pastor Joel Osteen Daily Devotional October 4 2023.

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 118:24, NLT “This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.

The Scripture says, “Weeping may endure for a night, but Joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5, NKJV). Every morning, God sends you a fresh supply of joy. You can dismiss it and think, That’s not for me. I have too much coming against me. Or you can receive it and say, “Things may not be perfect in my life, but I know that God is on the throne. He’s ordering my steps, and His plans for me are for good, so I’m going to enjoy this day.”

This is what David did. He faced all kinds of opposition—armies trying to stop him, people slandering him. But in the middle of that, he said, “This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). His circumstances said that he should be discouraged, afraid, and lonely. If he were reporting on the situation, he would have said, “This is the day the Lord has made, and I’m really discouraged. I have a lot of problems.” That would have been the truth. But he wasn’t reporting; he was making a declaration of faith.

He was saying, “Despite the opposition, I will be happy. Despite people lying about me, I will be happy. Despite my family not believing in me, I’m going to live this day happy.” If you’re going to be happy, you have to be happy on purpose, because there will be people, betrayals, delays, and all kinds of situations that can cause you to live sour. You have to put your foot down and say, “That’s it. I’m not letting other people steal my joy. I’m not letting what’s not working out cause me to be sour. I’m not letting this problem at work keep me from enjoying my life. I will rejoice and I will be glad. I will live this day happy.”

Your will is more powerful than how you feel. David didn’t feel happy when he wrote this, but he declared, “I will rejoice.” Don’t wait to feel happy before you decide to be happy. You have to decide first, then the happiness will come. As with David, you may feel discouraged. You may have a good reason—things were unfair, you went through a loss, nothing looks promising in your future. The enemy would love for you to think that’s the way it’s always going to be—to just drag through the day sour and never get your hopes up. No, you have to kick your will into gear. “I will be happy. I will enjoy this day. I will focus on the goodness of God.” Your will is going to override how you feel. A mark of maturity is when you can be happy even when things aren’t going your way, because your joy is not based on your circumstances.

Dear Lord, Thank You that my happiness is not based on my circumstances. As I open my eyes each morning, help me to choose joy, faith, and happiness. Remind me that each day is a gift, and I get to decide how to unwrap it. Let me say, “Today, I choose to be happy. I choose to see the good, and I’m thankful. I will show love to my family and friends and savor every moment.” Don’t allow me to let my troubles decide how I live, Lord. When I’m stuck in traffic, when things feel tough, help me remember that You’re in control. If I dwell on the difficulties, I’m choosing my problems over Your promises. But You tell me, “Joy comes in the morning,” and I believe that. Instead of focusing on what’s wrong, thinking I’m not worthy or things are too hard, help me to say, “Life isn’t perfect, but God, You are. You guide my steps. Your plans for me are good. I will embrace this day with joy.” In Jesus’ Name, Amen.