“For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.”Psalms 30:5 NKJV
Reflection: what brings you joy?
The Lord never ceases to amaze me. Right at the moment when you are down, when you see so much pain and sorrow all around, and you know you are walking through a dark valley of life, a ray of light shines through. And the light just touches your heart, starts filling it with new life, with joy that the world can never have. Cannot see. Can never experience. It is the breath of Life Himself, breathing new life into you. And in that moment, in a way you are lifted above the mud, above the mire of this world. You just know that everything will be fine, that He is there, walking right beside you. And, it allows you to start praising Him, who is Life. Who is Glory, Purity and Light. Who is Joy.
David described very well what he experienced in his walk with the Lord throughout his life, such as in psalm 30. In this psalm, he addresses his pridefulness, where that ultimately led him. “Now in my prosperity I said, “I shall never be moved.” Lord, by Your favor You have made my mountain stand strong; You hid Your face, and I was troubled.” Psalms 30:6-7 NKJV. The Lord hiding His face from David made him realize that he was very alone, and had sunken into “the pit”. (We looked at the pit in yesterday’s message from Job 33). David realized he was there, in the pit, in the darkness. And he cried out to God for mercy, and the Lord in His mercy, lifted David up.
“I will extol You, O Lord, for You have lifted me up, And have not let my foes rejoice over me. O Lord my God, I cried out to You, And You healed me. O Lord, You brought my soul up from the grave; You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” Psalms 30:1-5 NKJV
Life’s valleys can be pretty deep, pretty dark. Sometimes we may have even gotten ourselves lost due to our pride or whatever. Depending on what is going on in your life, know that the Lord is not far away. Turn to Him. Cry out to Him. And start praising Him for who He is. He will answer. Perhaps not as you want, but as you need. Look for it. Expect it. And as David, we will proclaim “You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.” Psalms 30:11-12 NKJV