Rejoice!

“…weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5, NIV).

As I write these words, we are in a difficult time in the history of our world.  The coronavirus pandemic is upon us, causing fear and uncertainty, sickness, even death.  What better time to turn to Scripture and look to God’s promises?

Written thousands of years ago, the message of God’s ever-present goodness is as relevant today as it has ever been.  In the above Psalm, King David writes that “…weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5, NIV).  Isn’t that a great description of the hope we have in our God?

Although the “night” may be long, rejoicing is still coming.  That’s the precedent of God.  Even Jesus experienced the “night” as he prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, as he faced arrest, and as he was beaten, broken, and hung on a cross to die.  Still, rejoicing came with the sunrise on that first Easter morning.  Through his resurrection, Jesus proclaimed that even death doesn’t get the final word.  Rather, the final word is one of rejoicing.

I don’t know how long this current pandemic will last, but this is what I do know – rejoicing is coming.  For followers of Jesus, we have the promise that whatever happens in this life, it is only a shadow of the life to come, in Heaven, where rejoicing will be complete.

I want to encourage you today to let this time of darkness be illuminated by the light of Jesus.  He is with you throughout the “night”.  Strive to patiently endure this time, knowing that a new morning is coming.  We have God’s promise of that.  So, rejoice!