“Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name. For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” Psalm 30:4-5
Stormy nights can look oh so dark and bleak. The storm rages, the winds roar and the rains pelt throughout the night, yet the mornings can look oh so different. Last week Margie and I endured yet another hurricane, Grace, while in Cozumel. What a long night it was. The winds howled, whined, and struggled against the atmosphere, as a result, little sleep or peace was to be found. Yet in the morning as the storm shutters were finally drawn back, what greeted us were clear skies and pleasant breezes. The storms of life will pass, and the guarantee of God is robust. A new morning of joy is promised to follow the night of trial.
David had countless experiences on which to base this verse. He had been forced into the wilderness for almost 15 years, on the run from the holder of the throne, the very throne God had promised to David. How many tear-filled nights must David have had as he fled for his life living under a vicious storm of “whys.” David experienced the harsh judgement of God as he knowingly walked into sin and felt the hand of God raised towards him in righteousness. How he must have flooded his bed with tears as he lamented his great sin against God. David saw his very son betray him as he lusted for the throne of his father. And then he saw that very son die in battle to keep the throne in which he falsely procured. Yet throughout these many tear-stained nights, David could confidently see the difference in the break of a new dawn. David could see that the Lord did not stop working at midnight, He only restarted the human heart to see His blessings renew with the rising of the sun.
Life is hard. There are heartbreaks, let downs, disappointments, and sickness enough to drive the saint to his knees. As each day draws on it can take you to low places indeed. But the Lord has a promise for you. Each day is refreshed in His promises. Each day contains the renewed love, care, joy, peace, and goodness of God. No matter how your nights may feel, don’t reside in them, reside in the morning that is only hours away. Allow your soul to drift to the morning, where God will deliver joy to your soul. As you endure the walk of a Christ-follower today, choose your focal point. Choose to focus on the promise that as you walk with Christ, He will not let you rest in the weeping, but deliver you into joy. A joy that radiates from the Holy Spirt indwelled soul and into the heavens far beyond this life. A joy that is not superficial or circumstantial, but a joy that is delivered directly from a Savior to the saved. A joy that is a heart reeling in the fact that is has been promised eternal life worshipping the king in the very throneroom of the universe. And for that, I will endure the tears of the night to claim the joy of the next day.
“Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23
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