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. When I was prosperous, I said, “Nothing can stop me now!” Your favor, O Lord, made me as secure as a mountain. Then you turned away from me, and I was shattered. I cried out to you, O Lord. I begged the Lord for mercy, saying, “What will you gain if I die, if I sink into the grave? Can my dust praise you? Can it tell of your faithfulness? Hear me, Lord, and have mercy on me. Help me, O Lord. You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!
—Psalm 30:5-12
Life is not always full of only sweet and good times. So, when things are going good, it’s important for us to savor, appreciate, and enjoy them fully. Life also is not always full of only bitter and bad times. So, when things are bad, it’s important for us to take what lessons we can learn, understanding that troubled times do not last forever. The verses above remind us that having a relationship with God is not always a straight walk filled with only ease. There are times when mountains or valleys are in our way, depending on the seasons we are in. There are good days and bad days, but (as the principle above suggests) although weeping may endure “for a night,” joy comes with “the morning.”
We know the story of how Moses was living a great life in Egypt before he realized his calling was to help deliver his people from the oppression of the Egyptians. Early in Moses’ life, there was nothing he did to deserve the riches allocated to his lot at a young age. By chance, he ended up becoming a son of Pharaoh, who was one of the most powerful men (if not the absolute most powerful man) in the world at the time. Later on, God called Moses to fulfill his purpose and deliver God’s people out of Egypt. As a result, Moses’ life ended up in a wilderness. Its not far-fetched to assume that Moses was likely crushed with feelings of guilt, bitterness, and anguish during his wilderness experience. However, that state he was in did not last forever. It was not long before God called Moses by name and gave him directions regarding how he was to deliver the Lord’s people from out of bondage.
Many times, low moments are what set up the foundation for exaltation. David was in the wilderness on the run from Saul for years before he became king. Moses ran away from the riches of Egypt and lost everything before the first time he heard God and was appointed as the leader over Israel. Hard times (whether from the past, present, or future) may feel like they are able to wipe us out. All the while, they are likely just preparing us for greater things. David was experiencing a low moment when he prayed to God saying, “What will you gain if I die, if I sink into the grave? Can my dust praise you? Can it tell of your faithfulness?” Although it may feel like it sometimes, the wilderness is not an experience designed to take us to the grave. 1 Peter 5:6 says to us, “humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.” Just like in David’s life, God is faithful to turn each of our “mourning into joyful dancing.”
Lots of Love, XO
