Sorrow Turned to Joy!

Recently I was reading through the Psalms and came across a wonderfully encouraging passage. It reads as follows:

Psalm 30:4-5;11-12
4 Sing to the LORD, you saints of his; praise his holy name. 5 For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.
11 You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, 12 that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.

As I read through this Scripture I was struck by the contrasts of God's anger and favor, weeping and rejoicing, wailing and dancing, and grief and joy. These differences are as stark as placing a black mark on a white sheet of paper. They are, in fact, polar opposites.

What refreshed me the most was the timeline contrast of God's anger and His favor. His anger is momentary. He does not prefer to be angry (as many people believe He does). His anger is real, and necessary, but He chooses to unleash it in brief moments. But, ah, His favor. His undying affection. His approval and acceptance. Yes, His favor is everlasting. This speaks such comfort and assurance to my heart. His acceptance of me, in Christ, is loyal, unchanging, and never ending. What a blessing! I do not have to "work" for God's favor. He pours it out liberally and continues doing so for a lifetime.

I was also struck in the passage by the fact that weeping, suffering, and grief are facts of life. God hasn't promised to remove these experiences and emotions. Instead, however, He promises to meet them with amazing contrasts. Rejoicing for weeping, dancing for suffering, and joy for grief. He also reminds me of the temporary nature of such pain. "Weeping may remain for a night, but joy comes in the morning."

My heart agreed with the Psalmist in responding with thanksgiving. How else could I respond?! I have God's favor for all time and He promises to meet me in my dark moments of pain and offer me joy. What a picture of amazing grace. So, I too, will sing and not be silent. I will give thanks to God forever. How could I offer anything less?

In awe of grace,

jonathan