Psalm 30:4-5
Sing to the Lord, all you godly ones!
Praise his holy name.
For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime!
Weeping may last through the night,
but joy comes with the morning.
Thomas Hobbes, the 17th Century English philosopher, marked himself as an incurable pessimist by declaring that human life is “nasty, brutish and short.” While this sentiment makes for a downer of a conversation starter, many people agree with Hobbes’ assessment of the human condition. Life is hard. People suffer all sorts of sorrows and tragedies. If you were to place the good things and the bad things of life on a scale, which side do you think would weigh more? Even if you experience more happy days than sad ones or carry more joyful memories than harsh ones, you might agree that the low points of life take a heavier toll. There’s no denying that we each face more disappointment and shed more tears than we would like.
David was no exception, these verses notwithstanding. As a young man, he was threatened with death by a maniacal king. He lost several friends in battle. He was publicly exposed as an adulterer. He watched a newborn child die. His own son rebelled against him. David knew about suffering and sorrow. He wept through many nights. But David also tasted the mercy and favor of the Lord. God rescued him from Saul’s hand. God gave David great victories in battle. God forgave him when he repented of his sin. God blessed him with many children, including Solomon who sat on the throne after his father. By God’s grace, David experienced more joyful mornings than tear-filled nights.
I hope, as you weigh the ups and downs of life, that you will pause to rejoice over the times God has blessed and provided. It’s easy to let our hearts dwell on the negatives and to live with scars exposed, but our gracious God doesn’t want us to be overwhelmed by sorrow. Instead, through Jesus Christ, He invites us to overcome our brokenness through the joy of his holy presence and in the hope of eternal glory. Even if this morning did not arrive with happiness and sunshine, you have the sure promise of heaven waiting for you, when you will always find a bright morning of peace and joy. We get glimpses of that promise in this life, and I pray you will experience many joyful mornings in the coming days. Even in the midst of sorrow, we can be sure that God’s “favor lasts a lifetime,” through all eternity. That is our reason for joy, and a night of weeping can never wash it away.Good Father, I trust You to bring me through dark nights into joyful mornings. I know You are good, kind and loving. Fill me with hope when life is hard, and remind me to rejoice in the blessings You provide, through Jesus my Lord. Amen.
____________________________
Pastor Mike Mirakian
