Joel M Bradshaw

4Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints,and give thanks to his holy name.
5For his anger is but for a moment,
and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.–Psalm 30, with emphasis

In my young adult years, I remember worshipping in church to a praise song called “Trading My Sorrows”. It featured the end of verse 5. Let’s focus on that.

Weeping is replaced by joy. This means that in the midst of our tears there is perspective and hope. David gave thanks to the God who stopped being angry at him. We know that this is only possible because of the substitutionary atonement of Jesus for us. My sins are paid for by Jesus in my place.

Sorrow over my sinful state (what’s behind much of my depression and shame) is no longer maintained and instead replaced by joy from God. Though I once stood condemned, in Jesus I no longer am (Romans 8:1).

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. (Matthew 5:4)

Some of us mourn the loss of loved ones. Others weep over broken marriages or chronic unemployment. Some cry tears every month because they can’t get pregnant. My friends, we cry now, but weeping has an end. The sorrow and sadness you are enduring right now will one day cease.

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” (Revelation 21:3-5, emphasized)

God will wipe those tears away. He is where we find that joy even in the middle of our sorrow. His is the perspective that we maintain.

You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. (Psalm 56:8)

There is joy in the morning and through the mourning.–JMB