Joy Comes in the Morning

I love that wonderful Bible passage that reads, “. . . weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5) Three years ago, as a newly minted widow, I clung to those many Bible promises that remind us tough times and broken hearts are always temporary.  In spite of the heart ache, there really is a resolution, a purpose, and an expectation of joy ahead. I think my favorite “the sun will shine again” verse is recorded in Psalm 27:13, “I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” I will testify to you that truly; I would have given up and quit many times if I had not believed with every ounce of conviction within me that I WILL see the goodness of the Lord in this life. Through the tears and sorrows, our Lord draws us close when we draw close to Him and He speaks to our hearts through His Word saying, “Yes, you WILL see the goodness of the Lord, even through this. Be patient!” May we respond with trust like David did, and say, “Yes, Lord, yes.”

It’s not always easy to trust when the sky is dark, and we don’t see the joy of morning light. It’s tough to believe when our hopes and dreams seem utterly destroyed. When our faith is pounded by the storms of life, it’s time to find shelter in the comforts and delights of knowing our God better and appreciating the work of His Spirt within our hearts as we pour over his Word. We endure when we see, by faith, the light and joy ahead. Our God is the Almighty and all-powerful God of the resurrection. He alone is able to make something out of nothing and bring light out of darkness. The Christian life is a life designed to be lived in close relationship with this same God. To abide in Christ is to live in daily fellowship and dependance upon Him. Sometimes we need to shut out the noise of the world and our own inner whirlwind of questions and simply enjoy our God. As we give ourselves in full surrender to His work and way in our lives, we find the secret (which isn’t really a secret at all) to finding strength in troubled times. 

I didn’t know what lay ahead three years ago and I do not know what lies ahead now. God only gives a glimpse of our road up to the next curve, not beyond. It’s one day at a time, one step at a time. Do you know what you need to do today? Great! Then simply tackle the evil (troubles) of the day. Sometimes that’s all my little brain can handle! I’m thankful that the Lord reminds us this is sufficient! (Matthew 6:34) We all “get there” by putting one foot in front of the other and simply pressing on. If we stop walking, we stop progressing. So, we go forward, not backward, even though we do not know what we will find beyond the curve that we are approaching, and even though our human flesh is screaming for us to give up and retreat. Let us not be like the small child who demands to know why before he obeys. Let us put our trust in our Heavenly Father who loves us and has promised to guide us until our last breath. Remember that God doesn’t give us grace for tomorrow today—He gives it to us daily. He said, “daily bread” not monthly bread!” Fight the clouds of despair by God’s grace, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Galatians 6:9) 

These trying days have interrupted the desirable hum of everyday life and jolted us into a new (uncomfortable) reality. Add personal loss to this unsettling turmoil of pandemic, political upheaval and financial uncertainty and we have perfect conditions for a tsunami of unsettling difficulty. This is when the Christian is able to shine brightest, for we alone are able to see He who is invisible and hear by faith what is inaudible to the world. There IS a place of quiet rest, near to the heart of God! 

There is no need to wring our hands or imagine we must figure everything out—we cannot. We are not God. Neither does our God demand we understand or know that which He has not revealed. He asks us to be still, and know He is God. He WILL be exalted. He has this. You see, this is something we CAN do, and that’s what we need to keep our focus on. I can contend for the faith, but I cannot contend with the politicians or leaders or spiritual wickedness in high places. I’m no match for the devil—but the devil is no match for God. He is a defeated foe. So I make my appeal to the Lord Jesus Christ, the King of kings, and put all those questions about the future in His capable hands! When our hearts are heavy, we need to get back to the simplicity (and joys) of knowing and trusting Christ. Otherwise, we will fall prey to the same anxieties of an unbelieving world. 

As I watched the news stories of people storming the United States capital building, I couldn’t help thinking about the zealous Jews in Jesus’ day who thought they could take Jerusalem by force from the evil Roman empire. No, my friends, that’s not God’s way. We do what is in the power of our hand to lawfully do, but then we trust and pray because we know it is more powerful than swords. God’s people have always been a minority in this world and our lives have always been lives that wind through valleys as well as upon mountain tops. The good news is this—everything is going to be all right for God’s own. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. In a million ways and more.

“. . .  and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)