Joy in the Morning

By Beth | September 17, 2009
   

  

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)

  
It’s been a hard week for me. I can’t put my finger on it but I’ve been restless and unsettled. I hate the feeling. Everyday I have asked God to direct me, to reveal what it is. Do I have an unconfessed sin? Am I on the wrong path or the right path headed in the wrong direction? Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday I was obsessed with my own situation. Then came Thursday.
 
On Thursday I spent the early morning with the Lord in a nice time of devotion and prayer. I was meeting a friend later for lunch and after that getting together with some other old friends to pray for one in a tough spot right now. I readied my new house for visitors and went to lunch.

The lunch was a wonderful time of fellowship. I hadn’t seen this friend in a long time and she had been going through some pretty difficult things with her family. Her faith in God had not wavered though her faith in other people was surely shaken. In our discussion of her plight she pointed me to the Lord through her testimony of trusting Him.

I came home from there and found other friends waiting for me. We had a time of fellowship and then prayed for the one in need. It was sweet, it was powerful, and it reminded me that our Lord is always aware of the circumstances of our lives. This woman was able to give us several examples of God’s work and His blessings as she is caught in a situation she did not ask for or encourage. Several times she reminded us and herself, “I’m just trusting God, I’m just trusting God.”

This morning as I was coming home from an early morning karate class I realized I was singing praises and feeling real joy in my heart and soul! I hadn’t had this all week. God, in one day, had taken my focus off of my little troubles and shown me His grace and His provision to others in much greater need than I am right now. He reminded me of His goodness through several sisters in Christ who are relying on Him in hard circumstances. Surely, He had given me peace about my own circumstances by taking my attention off my own agenda and placing it on what He has for me to do in these days.

Are you feeling restless, alone, forsaken? God does have a plan for each one of His children. His Word says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”  (Jeremiah 29:11)

Sometimes we’re so focused on our plan that we miss the hope of His plan for us. Remember God’s faithfulness today, take your mind off your agenda and ask Him what He has for you to do for Him. He will lead you to the strength that brings joy and the peace that passes understanding. Before you know it you’ll be praising His Holy Name!

 

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.

(Pro 3:5-8)

 

And remember, it’s not about us!

 

 
  
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in Regular Posts