Psalm 118:19-24
Open for me the gates of righteousness. I will enter them. I will give thanks to the Lord. This is the gate to the Lord. The righteous enter it. I will give you thanks because you answered me, and you have become salvation for me. The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is from the Lord. It is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Dear Heavenly Father,
You have established that entering heaven is for all people by being perfectly righteous and without sin. Yet, we all fail at this because, on our own, we are corrupt, and our sinful nature prevents us from approaching the gate, let alone opening it. We are all guilty of many sins. Even if we had sinned only once during our lifetime, that single blemish would keep us from entering. We carry a mountain of sin, guilt, and shame.
For this reason, you have given us your Son and His righteousness to unlock heaven for all who believe in Him; Jesus’ righteousness is the key to heaven. It is through the forgiveness He won on the cross that heaven’s gate is opened for us, and faith delivers the gift of salvation so that we can enter Heaven’s open gate. We are made right with You by faith in Jesus.
Your perfect Son was rejected by those who should have known Him: the religious leaders—those who instructed Your people. Instead of recognizing Him according to the Old Testament prophecies, they hated and resented Him, leading to His crucifixion.
Heavenly Father, You established Your salvational plan to save us; You planned that day of redemption from the beginning of creation. Jesus willingly went to the cross to carry all our sins with Him, as Isaiah prophesied, “By his wounds, we are healed.” Through His innocent life and perfect death, the world receives forgiveness. Jesus has removed our sins and credited us with His righteousness.
Lord, thank You for creating Your salvational plan. Let us rejoice in the gift of life and share it with those who do not know or trust in You. May these words inspire them to faith: “Jesus has risen; our victory is won.” Amen.
Written through Pastor Roger Emmons
This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it because God loves us and has given His Son to save us from our sins. Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!