Joy Comes In The Morning
King David wrote in Psalms 30.5: “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” This Psalm was written from his own experience. He had passed though many long and dark “nights”. He had experienced the darkness of betrayal, nights of despair, trails of persecution and the destruction of his own sins. When all seemed lost; when hope’s light was ever so dim, he encouraged himself with these words: “…joy comes in the morning.”
David also wrote that even when we pass through the valley of the shadow of death, we should fear no evil, for the Lord is with us. (Ps. 23) He was confident that no matter how difficult life can become, God is always there. He is our Strength and He is our Hope. The night does not go on forever. With the morning comes the light that expels the darkness. The crown of thorns that was placed on Jesus’ head in the night was replaced with the star-studded crown of glory at His resurrection on Sunday morning.
Jeremiah spoke of the day when our mourning would be turned into joy and dancing. We would receive gladness instead of sorrow and there would be abundance and comfort for all of God’s people. John wrote of a day in which our tears would be no more and our soiled garments would be exchanged for brilliant, white garments of righteousness. In fact, the whole Bible speaks of Hope for the future; where death is swallowed up in victory and where sin and pain are no more. The Light of the morning WINS! Darkness does not have the final word. Creation begins with darkness over the abyss, but then Light is called forth. Each day begins with night, but then ends with day.
You may be burdened down with so many cares and troubles now, but Jesus is near to take your burdens and to lighten your load. If we look at our problems, they seem so magnified, as if they take on a life of their own. But when we look to Jesus and gain His perspective, they become just little bumps in the road. If you are at the base of a large mountain, and you look up, it seems insurmountable. But if you are in an airplane at about 4000 meters above the ground, it seems so small and easy to get over. Jesus brings our problems into His perspective. He has seated us in heavenly places, so that as we look down on our circumstances they don’t overwhelm us.
Jesus was able to endure the cross, because He looked at the Hope set before Him. He knew Sunday was on the way. Don’t despair. Jesus is with you. You are not alone in your trail. You plus Jesus are a majority. The victory is secured. Your joy comes in the morning.
The morning my father-in-law died, he was on his daily walk with God and was memorizing this poem by Ralph Cushman:
I met God in the morning
When my day was at its best,
And His Presence came like sunrise
Like a glory in my breast.
All day long the Presence lingered,
All day long He stayed with me,
And we sailed in perfect calmness
O’er a very troubled sea.
Other ships were blown and battered,
Other ships were sore distressed,
But the winds that seemed to drive them.
Brought to us a peace and rest.
Then I thought of other mornings,
With a keen remorse of mind,
When I, too, had loosed the moorings
With the Presence left behind.
So I think I know the secret,
Learned from many a troubled way;
You must seek Him in the morning
If you want Him through the day.
Scriptures to meditate on:
Genesis 1.1-5; Psalms 23; 30.5; Heb. 12.2; Jeremiah 31.13;