Joy Cometh in the Morning-Midweek Musing 5/9/24

Last night I had the opportunity to attend a show at the Fox Theater in Atlanta. The show was To Kill a Mockingbird, based on the novel by Harper Lee and developed into a dramatic production by Aaron Sorkin. Richard Thomas AKA John Boy from “The Waltons” played the lead - Atticus Finch. It was an amazing show. Actually, it was better than amazing. I won't talk too much about it since it is coming to Chattanooga in June and several of you, I know, are planning on seeing it. I will simply say I'm already looking to see if there are tickets available as I may try to see it again in Chattanooga.

The only detail about the show I will mention is that Psalm 30 is quoted in it. And as I laid my head down to sleep last night some of the words from that Psalm were still echoing in my head. Thus, it was not a surprise to me when I sat down to write this week’s Musing that I came back to this Psalm and for me it's most powerful line - "Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning" (Psalm 30:5).

Friends, we all go through hard and sometimes even dark seasons. Where pain, suffering, and sorrow seem overwhelming, and it even hurts to go about daily life. Whether we face illness, the loss of a loved one, injustice, oppression, or personal struggles, the night can feel endless. Yet God's love and grace and faithfulness shines a light in the darkness, reminding us that we belong to God, who is with us in both joys and sorrows.

God walks with us through the valleys, carrying us when our strength fails. The same divine love that formed the universe with its galaxies and stars and mysteries knitted us together in our mother's womb. Each of us - woman, man, transgender, gay, straight, bisexual of every hue and nationality - bears the sacred image of our Creator. No matter our heritage or past story, we are God’s beloved children embraced by infinite grace.

Friends, when the night is cold and at its darkest, I know that joy may feel distant. But God's love is ever-present. The light is always there, even if it seems like only a candle flickering in the shadows. As John promised at the beginning of his Gospel - the light shines in the darkness and that the darkness can never extinguish it.

And with every dawn, we are reminded that mourning's garment will be replaced with joy's robe (Psalm 30:11). Our weeping turns to shouts of thanksgiving as we emerge from the ashes renewed.

Simply look at the spring flowers emerging after the winter's freeze.

Marvel at the rainbow arcing brilliantly across the sky after the storm.

God's promise and providence turns our deepest sorrows into our sweetest joys when we remember to put our trust in our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. When we do this we know our nights of grief will in God’s time give way to good news found in the morning light.

So let us hold fast to hope. Let us encourage those still stumbling in the darkness. Joy is coming - for all God's people, without exception. Because of our savior’s love we are assured that the night will not last forever and joy will indeed come.

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Alleluia Amen.Last night I had the opportunity to attend a show at the Fox Theater in Atlanta. The show was To Kill a Mockingbird, based on the novel by Harper Lee and developed into a dramatic production by Aaron Sorkin. Richard Thomas AKA John Boy from “The Waltons” played the lead - Atticus Finch. It was an amazing show. Actually, it was better than amazing. I won't talk too much about it since it is coming to Chattanooga in June and several of you, I know, are planning on seeing it. I will simply say I'm already looking to see if there are tickets available as I may try to see it again in Chattanooga.

The only detail about the show I will mention is that Psalm 30 is quoted in it. And as I laid my head down to sleep last night some of the words from that Psalm were still echoing in my head. Thus, it was not a surprise to me when I sat down to write this week’s Musing that I came back to this Psalm and for me it's most powerful line - "Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning" (Psalm 30:5).

Friends, we all go through hard and sometimes even dark seasons. Where pain, suffering, and sorrow seem overwhelming, and it even hurts to go about daily life. Whether we face illness, the loss of a loved one, injustice, oppression, or personal struggles, the night can feel endless. Yet God's love and grace and faithfulness shines a light in the darkness, reminding us that we belong to God, who is with us in both joys and sorrows.

God walks with us through the valleys, carrying us when our strength fails. The same divine love that formed the universe with its galaxies and stars and mysteries knitted us together in our mother's womb. Each of us - woman, man, transgender, gay, straight, bisexual of every hue and nationality - bears the sacred image of our Creator. No matter our heritage or past story, we are God’s beloved children embraced by infinite grace.

Friends, when the night is cold and at its darkest, I know that joy may feel distant. But God's love is ever-present. The light is always there, even if it seems like only a candle flickering in the shadows. As John promised at the beginning of his Gospel - the light shines in the darkness and that the darkness can never extinguish it.

And with every dawn, we are reminded that mourning's garment will be replaced with joy's robe (Psalm 30:11). Our weeping turns to shouts of thanksgiving as we emerge from the ashes renewed.

Simply look at the spring flowers emerging after the winter's freeze.

Marvel at the rainbow arcing brilliantly across the sky after the storm.

God's promise and providence turns our deepest sorrows into our sweetest joys when we remember to put our trust in our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. When we do this we know our nights of grief will in God’s time give way to good news found in the morning light.

So let us hold fast to hope. Let us encourage those still stumbling in the darkness. Joy is coming - for all God's people, without exception. Because of our savior’s love we are assured that the night will not last forever and joy will indeed come.

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Alleluia Amen.