“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Psalm 30:5
Dear Ones:
One of the great attractions of Christianity is the hope associated with it. As our attention is constantly directed to the person of Christ, we have not only an idea of hope, but hope’s power and motive. The Lord is constantly seeking to draw out our hearts away from the world’s perspective, and the consideration of self, to the vast ocean of the grace and mercy of God. This is that realm where Christ “becomes all to us, and all our hearts become love.” But it is also where the character of God is revealed to us in “accents clear and still,” a revelation which takes us beyond just an idea to the reality of things as they truly are. For the one who waits upon the Lord, and trusts in Him, will not be ashamed.
In Isaiah 54, the Lord speaks of the condition of Israel as being “barren” and “desolate.” Left to themselves, how could they change their condition? They have no hope, no expectation, for they have neither the power nor the motive for rising up, and singing with anticipation, because of the certainty of the promised blessing of God. However, there is ONE who IS our Hope, ONE great Cause and Essence of joy: “For thy Maker is thine husband; the Lord of hosts is His name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; the God of the whole earth.” (v.5) The question then becomes, “Can Israel believe this?” It is at this point that the Lord gives to her certain promises concerning HIS intervention, His work, and the certainty of hope. He tells her, “For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with GREAT MERCIES will I gather thee.” (v.7) He goes on to say, “…with EVERLASTING KINDNESS will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer.” (v.8) Then, “…My KINDNESS shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of My PEACE be removed.” (v.10) What is the Lord saying here? He is speaking of “joy coming in the morning, ” for He is speaking of hope, and the expectation and certainty of His working in the heart and mind, even in circumstances, to give the new beginning.
David begins Psalm 30 by writing: “I will extol Thee, O Lord; for Thou hast lifted me up.” (v.1) Here is a man who needed lifting up, and so, he cried unto the Lord. David knew what it was to “weep for a night,” whether due to his own faults and sins, or simply that of living in a sinful, suffering world. But he was a man who lived in the hope and expectation that “joy comes in the morning,” because he knew that God, Christ, IS that DAYSPRING from on High. This earnest seeker of God will later write in the psalm, “Thou hast turned for me by mourning into dancing…and girded me with gladness.” (v.11)
Dear Father, open our eyes to see ALL that we have in Christ, and that He IS ALL, even in the darkest moment. Strengthen us to understand that You are found by those who truly seek You, and that You truly intervene in our hearts and circumstances. Fill us with the expectation that Your mercies are new every morning, and that You wait to give us Your joy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad