WEEPING AND JOY "JOY COMETH IN THE MORNING." We do not always have to wait until the breaking of the day for the morning to come. The "Day Star" can rise in our hearts, bringing joyful illumination and refreshment (2 Pet 1:19). The "Sun of Righteousness" can also rise with healing in his wings, dispersing our night, refurbishing our spirits, and putting a song in our heart (Mal 4:2). These "mornings" are "times of refreshing" that come "from the presence of the Lord" (Acts 3:19). They are when the Lord draws close to us, showing compassion and tenderness. The joy comes when He comes, and the refreshing is present when He is present.
"For His anger endureth but a moment; in His favor is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." (Psalm 30:5)
The children of God are subject to chastisement – but only "for a moment." In very specific and comforting words, the Lord said through Isaiah, "For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer" (Isa 54:7-8). Although "no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it" (Heb 12:11). It is comparatively brief, and concludes on a joyful note. There are also spiritual nights in which grief is experienced because of the oppression of our enemies (Lam 1:2). There are also afflictions of body that are often accentuated at night, causing distraction, pain, and tears. The darkness of night tends to magnify these things.
During these night seasons, when we are left alone to wrestle, so to speak, with the Lord, our tears sometimes water our beds (Psa 6:6). There is a melancholy that sometimes descends upon the soul that is most difficult to bear. The soul can be "cast down" and "disquieted," or disturbed, within us (Psa 42:5). But there is more to life than these occasions.
The word "morning" also emphasizes a beginning – the threshold of a new day or season. The Lord brings us a blessing at the beginning, an "early rain," as it were (James 5:7). It comes in abundance, lifting the soul from the pit of despair and mourning. The Psalmist said it this way. "Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, whereby Thou didst confirm Thine inheritance, when it was weary" (Psa 68:9). There is something about "weeping" that depletes the energies of the soul, making it weary. But when the morning breaks upon that soul, the saints of God "renew their strength," mounting up with the wings of an eagle (Isa 40:31; 41:1).
If, perchance, you have endured a time of weeping, or are experiencing a season of weariness, do not give up hope. "Wait upon the Lord," and do so expectantly. The morning will come, and you will again be joyful. The "Sun of Righteousness" will rise upon you, bringing healing to your soul and joy to your heart. Doubt it not, you will sing with joy again! The weeping "MAY" endure for A night – but it may not also. In the very midst of the night, the Lord may give you "a song in the night" (Psa 77:6). Or He may show Himself unusually strong in your behalf, giving you "SONGS in the night" (Job 35:10). You have every reason to hope!
PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You through Jesus Christ for the mornings of the soul, when You refresh and revive my spirit.
-- Tomorrow: REAL LOVE IS DEFINED BY GOD'S LOVE --