Joy Comes

Psalm 30:1–12 ESV

1 I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up and have not let my foes rejoice over me. 2 O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me. 3 O Lord, you have brought up my soul from Sheol; you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit. 4 Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name. 5 For 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. 6 As for me, I said in my prosperity, “I shall never be moved.” 7 By your favor, O Lord, you made my mountain stand strong; you hid your face; I was dismayed. 8 To you, O Lord, I cry, and to the Lord I plead for mercy: 9 “What profit is there in my death, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it tell of your faithfulness? 10 Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me! O Lord, be my helper!” 11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, 12 that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!

A Psalm of David

Notes on the Old Testament: Psalms, Volume 1 Psalm 30

It will be seen, therefore, that the contents of the psalm are every way suitable to the occasion supposed to be referred to,—the dedication of his house to God. On entering such a habitation for the first time it was proper to recall the past scenes of his life,—his perils and troubles; it was proper to acknowledge the goodness of God in delivering him from those perils and troubles; it was proper to express his solemn purpose to serve God in that dwelling, and to consecrate himself and all that he had to him and to his service evermore.

For our time this morning - I want to draw our attention to verse 5 - especially the last sentence.

Psalm 30:5 ESV

5 For 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.

Morning Sunshine

July 4, 1976, a huge C130 cargo plane landed at an airport in Israel, carrying the rescued Jewish and French hostages from Entebbe Airport in Uganda, Africa.

As the United States was celebrating 200 years of independence, Israel

was celebrating the most audacious hostage rescue in human history.

During the night, Israeli commandos stormed the and placed the hostages into a waiting plane.

A week of dark nights filled with fears of death suddenly turned into unspeakable joy.

We will all face struggles that seem to never end, trials that seem too great to endure, and

heartaches that seem beyond hope.

Certainly the impact of COVID-19 around the world affects all of us in our very homes.

God makes an unshakeable promise:

“Weeping may last through the night, but joy

comes with the morning” (Psalm 30:5 NLT).

Life is not Easy

Jesus - realistic observation: life is not easy.

Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33 NIV).

He didn’t say “trouble may come” or “trouble will come to some.”

With trouble comes times of darkness, loneliness, fear, and despair.

David wrote,

Psalm 31:10 ESV

10 For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my iniquity, and my bones waste away.

Troubles Seem Endless

Troubles and trials seem endless. We may feel like David, who cried out,

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish” Psalm 22:1

God’s word is clear - troubles and sorrows are not the last word.

Look at Mary Magdalene

The Gospels refer to Mary Magdalene at least twelve times. She was from Magdala, hence her name: “Mary of Magdala,” or “Magdalene.”

Possessed by seven demons (see Luke 8:2).

Along with other women, she supported Jesus’ ministry. (Luke 8:3 NIV).

She witnessed the crucifixion of Jesus. (John 19:25 NIV).

It was still Dark

“Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, MaryMagdalene went to the tomb” (John 20:1 NIV).

Mary discovered “the stone had been removed” (John 20:1 NIV).

She told Peter and John , she encountered two angels, maybe they could help find Jesus’ body ( John 20:11–12).

Jesus Spoke

Jesus spoke first to Mary after his resurrection.

She thought he was the gardener—perhaps even the grave robber.

He simply said to her “Mary”

Joy came in the morning when Jesus rose from the grave.

God has a Promise

God has a promise for all people today with heavy hearts.

After cruel death and cold burial. Mary’s weeping burst into eternal joy.

Watch for the Morning

Watch for the morning. Walk toward Jesus even if the trail is dark. Expect

to hear him, because he knows your name. Embrace this unshakeable

promise of God.

The clouds may eclipse the sun, but they cannot eliminate it. Night might

prolong the dawn, but it cannot defeat it.

Morning comes

Morning comes.

Joy Comes

Joy comes

Will you believe this promise of God today?

Will you listen for Jesus to call your name?

He’s calling it this morning? Will you listen to him?

Will you let him bring joy into your life?

No matter the circumstances. Jesus promises joy comes in the morning.