Psalms. Psalm 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.
Lamentations 3:22-23 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Isaiah 61:3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
These verses echo the gentle promise that every hardship has its dawn. Just as night cannot hold back the morning, sorrow cannot keep its hold on us for long; joy comes in the morning. The bible is quick to acknowledge that God’s children will weep, mourn and experience despair. But as we wait upon the Lord, He begins to turn things around. His compassion for us prevails through the storm. He understands how we feel, and He is aware of our human condition. God is close, He is there ready to be our Savior one more time.
The bible clearly states that human beings are made of dust. Without God, we can do nothing. People are made of dust; we are only human. But that is not the end of the story. We are also made in His image, and He is always waiting for us to acknowledge our weaknesses and seek Him. Our trials and tribulations will come; however, God is willing and eager to turn our weeping into joy. It may take time, a season or many seasons may pass.
While we wait, we are growing in our character, we are learning to persevere. Because the Lord is always faithful to us, we can continue to wait upon Him when we do not see the path. We can wait patiently while we are still in the storm. We can hold on to His hand when all is dark and frightening around us. We can train ourselves to be still and remember that He is God. Only God can turn our ashes to beauty.
The world around us offers many false hopes and fake promises. The world cannot help us through our most difficult days, but our Savior can. While we wait for joy and beauty to return, we can simply rest in Him, knowing that He loves us and He is for us. He will be able to provide a new garment for us when the season has ended. He will give us a garment of praise to replace our spirit of despair. These verses give me so much hope and assurance that my struggles and hardships will pass. Memorize the ones that speak to you so that no matter where you are or what you are doing, the Holy Spirit can bring these words of hope to mind. If we take time to know God’s word, it will transform our entire life.
Dear Lord, as I wait for you in this storm, I pray you will breathe a new hope into me through your Holy Spirit. I trust that I will not be consumed, and that your joy will always come just as dawn will surely come. Your divine order of the universe shows me that you are still in control. You can see me and hear me and you still love me. I can rest and wait and know that you are at work. My weeping may last for a season, but You will bring a new day, and it will replace my weeping with joy! I believe in you, and I trust you for the times and seasons of my life. Help me to rest in your great love knowing that you will not allow me to be consumed. I offer to you my ashes and I pray, Lord, that you will bring beauty to me in your perfect timing.
In Jesus Holy Name,
Amen
