From 《Forward Day by Day》by Forward Movement Friday April 10---Friday in Easter Week

Many biblical scholars say that Psalm 118 was a thanksgiving psalm sung in the context of ancient Israel's worship. As the voice of God's people, the psalmist gives thanks to God, who--despite apparent rejection and defeat--delivered them, first from slavery in Egypt, then from exile in Babylon. Out of despair came hope, out of ashes came new life. 

I like the saying "one person's trash is another's treasure." It's a reminder that things aren't always as they appear. Something one person thinks is worthless is valuable to another.

Through the Resurrection of Christ, we see that God has the power to transform trash into treasure. It's like my compost that transforms useless food scraps into rich fertilizer. Like the earth itself, God can bring new life and possibility out of things that we have set aside, ignored, or discarded. In fact, God can build something new out of them.

Is there something--a part of yourself, a person, a tangible thing--which you reject today that could be the foundation of something new?