Verse of the Day for November 5

The picture in verse 11 is a change of clothes. Thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness. Sackcloth was what you wore when someone died or when everything had gone wrong. God takes it off you, and ties gladness round your waist instead.

A belt is not a costume for a party. It is what you put on every morning without thinking about it.

David remembers the dramatic day, mourning turned into dancing. But the purpose he names is longer than one day: that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. Then the phrase that stretches it out: I will give thanks unto thee for ever.

For ever is mostly made of days nobody will write about. The day after the rescue. The week after the wedding. The Tuesday when the light bill is paid and nobody is sick and nothing in particular happens. Those are the days when silence is most likely, because there is no crisis to pull a prayer out of you.

This evening, as you change out of your work clothes, notice that you were dressed in gladness today too, even if you did not feel it. Say thank you for the ordinary hours. They are part of the for ever.

The most dangerous day for gratitude is the one where nothing goes wrong.

Thank God for a quiet Tuesday before you ask him for a better Wednesday.