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Joy Comes With the Morning
Dark, dark hath been the midnight.
Arduous at best are the frenetic cadences of life. Sorrow and suffering are sadly unavoidable. Lost at sea. Adrift with no anchor to hold us securely as the waves of despair come crashing down. No one to hear our dying wail. Hopelessly despondent. Waiting for relief that seemingly never comes. Unsure if we can weather this particular storm. And so we drift deeper into the treacherous waters of disbelief.
There is a story attributed to Robert Louis Stevenson of a ship caught in a dreadful storm off a rocky coast. The squalls of driving rain and rogue waves threatened to drive the ship and its passengers into sure destruction. It is reminiscent of the narrative found in the gospels of the sudden windstorm on the Sea of Galilee (Lk 8.22-25). “Master, Master, we are perishing!” In the midst of their fear and trepidation, one daring man pulled himself up the slippery stairs of the ship’s hold. Gazing across the deck to the helm of the ship, there he saw the pilot at his post gripping the wheel strongly, steering the ship out to sea.
“I have seen the face of the pilot, and he smiled at me. All is well.”
The weeping prophet pleaded, “Restore us to yourself, O Lord, that we may be restored! Renew our days as of old” (Lamentations 5.21). Our God restores us when we wander. And at times the shadows of those misty yesteryears cause us to doubt. “Is God there?” “Does He care?” In moments like these, we sometimes stray. Searching for answers and solace in places that can never truly provide comfort. A wretched and miserable existence awaits us there. And thus the need for restoration and reconciliation. We understand that the ultimate restoration we seek is found through pursuing the Lord and, by God’s grace, having our sins forgiven through Christ. For it's there that peace can be found. Where the raging tempests of life are stilled by the Master. There are no “and they lived happily ever after” moments in Lamentations. But…
“Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.”
William Cowper
Even in desolation Jehovah God still reigns and is in control. He is our anchor for life through difficulties, pain and grief. Trust Him for His grace. Focus on His faithfulness and promises. And while weeping may remain for the night because of what we have undergone, tomorrow brings a new day where we can rejoice in the Lord.
“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.”
Psalm 30.5
All is well.
