Joy Comes in the Morning

Read Psalm 30

Psalm 30:5

5 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.  

 

On a cold winter morning it's not uncommon for car windows to be covered in frost. The standard procedure is to start your car, turn on the defroster, and let the engine warm up. Sometimes I will sit in my car and wait for the windows to clear, but in the waiting I notice how I can't see anything outside of the car while the windows are covered. For a moment, my inability to see the world outside makes me feel isolated and alone. I know there is a world out there, but the frost won't let me see it clearly.

 

The emotions of sadness and despair can make us feel the same way. Negativity creeps into our thoughts and soon we find our lives frosted over with an inability to see clearly. In moments like these it feels natural to isolate ourselves and shut out anything that can pull us out of the pit.

But what if there were a way to turn mourning into dancing? (Ps. 30:11)

 

The next time you feel sadness trying to steal your joy don't sit in isolation and let it pull you down. Make a decision to change your environment. If you're able, go for a walk. Put on some praise music. Open your Bible and read. Get some exercise. Do something that reminds you of the world around you. You need to know there is life on the other side of frosty isolation, and that frost will melt away soon. You won't FEEL like doing any of those things, but you need to!

In 2009 the Center for Bible Engagement (CBE) did a study that revealed the postive effects of daily Bible reading. Participants who read their Bible once or twice a week didn't report much difference in their mental health. People who read three times a week reported slightly higher positive results. But here is where it got crazy. People who read their Bible four or more times a week reported a dramatic increase in positive feelings and an overall change in lifestyle. They were less likely to engage in unhealthy behavior, and they even shared their faith with others.

You may be skeptical, I understand. But if you're not already spending daily time in the Word what do you have to lose? I would argue you have everything to gain!

How many people have truly devoted themselves to daily time with the Lord? Spending time in the presence of the Lord through the reading of His Word and prayer may not bring immediate relief from your sadness, but in your time of waiting I would encourage you to trust that God will melt away your isolation and sadness. Joy comes in the morning. Mourning can be turned into dancing. You will sing praises to His Name, my friend. The frost will melt!

 

What does that mean? It means that even though you can’t see the Lord clearly right now, He sees you and is singing over you. Perhaps it's time to start singing to him. Yesterday is gone and the frost will thaw in the morning. I cannot emphasize this enough, you can persevere through the sadness of life when your hope looks forward to the joy of the Lord in the morning.  Have faith my friend, the frost will melt and you will see clearly again.

My friends in the band, CLINE, wrote a beautiful song about this. It's worth your time to add You Will Sing Again to your playlist!

Oh Lord, sadness is real. Sometimes the weight of the Lord crushes me throughout the day. Please give me strength to endure. I know tomorrow will be better. In Jesus Name,  Amen

Josh Huisman is the senior pastor of New Hope Community Church in Brentwood, TN.

If you would like to support this website and make it possible for this page to stay active and these devotions to reach a wider audience, Click Here.