Psalms 30: 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.

Consider the lyrics of an old-time favorite:

If you’ve knelt beside the rubble of an aching broken heart

When the things you gave your life to, fell apart

You’re not the first to be acquainted with sorrow, grief or pain

But the master promised sunshine after rain

Chorus

Hold on my child joy comes in the morning

Weeping only lasts for the night

Hold on my child Joy comes in the morning

The darkest hour means dawn is just in sight

If you’ve lived long enough, you’ll know by now that life has a way of taking its toll sometimes. Things do not always work out the way we planned or envisaged, the castle of life – once built with colorful dreams, elevated plans, and beautiful imaginations – sometimes falls apart with no hope in sight. And once again, you are left with shattered dreams, distorted plans, and broken hearts! 

You’ve desperately begged for change to come, but this cycle of brokenness goes on and on. The dark clouds gather, and the storms threaten. Laden with cares and sorrows, you feel exhausted by this endless journey of pain. It almost seems there is no use waiting, or hoping for better times. Remember the Bible says weeping lasts for a night, but joy comes in the morning! The last verse of the chorus above says The darkest hour means dawn is just in sight!

I am reminded of the story about the mother eagle who must incubate her egg so that it can hatch. She sits on her egg, providing warmth, for 35 days, without any assurance the egg is alive or dead. There is no sign of progress in those 35 days, but she must wait faithfully, patiently, lovingly, and trustingly! Thank God the mother eagle is never disappointed because her efforts are rewarded as the baby eaglet emerges from the shell on the 35th day!

The lesson here is to never give up, even in the face of discouragement, disappointments, setbacks, failures, depression, disillusionment, etc. As you lie fastened to the bed of hopelessness and uncertainty, remember your 35th day is coming! Weeping may last for a night, but joy certainly comes in the morning. Problems cannot last forever; they must sometimes cease, just to usher in the dawn of a happy day!

Take heart my friend, and keep on keeping on! It is not over until it is over!

Be blessed by the lyrics of this 2nd old-time favorite:

Sometimes the shadow gather, and mist obscure the way

Sometimes the clouds grow heavy, and darken all the day

How precious to remember, our Father’s loving care

That God still loves His children and He answers prayer

Sometimes, the way is dreary, we seem to walk alone, 

Forgetting that the Father keeps watch above His own. 

How many needless sorrows, the faithless have to bear

For, God still loves His children, and He answers prayer.

O soul, weighed down with sorrow, Beneath a heavy load, 

Remember God will help you, however rough the road. 

His grace is still sufficient for every load of care,

God ever loves His children, And He answers prayer.”

Chorus:

Keep on believing, God will answer prayer

Keep on believing, never despair

Though you be heavy laden, and burdened down with care

Remember God still loves you, and He answers prayer!

Shalom!