The alarm goes off. It’s early. Too early, maybe. The sun hasn’t even broken through the blinds yet. But before my feet hit the floor, before I check my phone, before I utter another word—I make a declaration:

“This is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24)

It’s not just a routine. It’s a spiritual strategy. It’s a bold declaration that no matter what lies ahead—warfare, disappointment, delays, breakthroughs or blessings—I’ve already chosen my posture: I will rejoice.

Why Rejoicing First Thing Matters

When you choose to rejoice the moment you wake up, you’re glorifying God before you even sip your coffee. You’re exalting Him before any trial can raise its ugly head. You’re setting the tone for the day, not just emotionally, but spiritually. You are establishing your day in praise—and praise is a weapon.

We read in Psalm 149:6, “Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand.” Praise is not passive—it’s militant. When you rejoice, you’re swinging your sword in the spirit. You’re driving back darkness before it can even creep into your atmosphere.

Hell takes notice when a believer rejoices before the battle begins. Heaven moves when we align our mouth with God’s Word and choose joy—even when our feelings haven’t caught up yet.

Rejoicing Shifts Your Mindset

Let’s be honest—some mornings, rejoicing is the last thing we feel like doing. But we don’t live by feelings—we live by faith.

Paul said in Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” That wasn’t a polite suggestion—it was a command. And Paul wasn’t writing from a luxury suite—he was writing from a prison cell.

If Paul could rejoice from a prison, you and I can certainly rejoice from our bedrooms.

When you make the decision to rejoice before your circumstances try to dictate your mood, you are refusing to give hell a foothold in your mind. You’re anchoring your soul in truth. You’re saying, “I may not know what this day holds—but I know Who holds this day.”

Rejoicing Attracts the Presence of God

Psalm 22:3 says that God inhabits the praises of His people. When you rejoice first thing in the morning, you’re not just inviting God’s presence—you’re building a throne for Him to sit on in your life.

What better way to start the day than welcoming the King into your space?

Rejoicing invites divine strategy. Rejoicing opens your spirit to hear God clearly. Rejoicing silences the enemy and renews your strength.

Rejoicing Is Warfare

You want to set the tone for warfare? Start with joy. Start with worship. Start with rejoicing.

The enemy hates it when you praise God, especially when things look dark or uncertain. It confuses the enemy’s camp. Just like when Jehoshaphat sent the singers out ahead of the army (2 Chronicles 20:21-22), God responds to praise by scattering your enemies.

When you say, “This is the day the Lord has made, and I will rejoice and be glad in it,” you’re not being cute—you’re being dangerous to the kingdom of darkness. You’re acknowledging that God is the author of your day, not the devil.

Make It a Morning Habit

So I challenge you—do this when you wake up every morning. Even if you feel groggy. Even if you know you have a hard day ahead. Make it your first declaration:

“This is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.”

Say it out loud. Say it by faith. Say it until your spirit rises up. Say it until your atmosphere shifts. Say it until hell trembles.

Because the moment you rejoice, you’ve already won half the battle.

Let rejoicing be your alarm clock in the spirit. Let praise be your warfare. And let joy lead the way.

This is your day—God made it. Now rejoice and be glad in it.