“You did it. You changed wild lament into hiring dance; You ripped off my black mourning band and decked me with wild flowers. I’m about to burst with song; I can’t thank You enough.” (Psalm 30:11-12 MSG)
What a hope-filled song! We aren’t good about mourning in modern day America, but other cultures go all out: dressing in black, playing funeral dirges, modifying social calendars. In this psalm we see God swap all that out: exchanging a black mourning band for headdress of fresh flowers. He turns mourning into dancing, darkness into light!
You may not recognize this in your own life just yet. The minor keys might still dominate and heavy sighing persist. But believe me, beloved, when I say it will not always be like this. Over and over His book promises an alternate future for those who chose to trust in Him. It might still be dark and sad at the moment, but eternity will be nothing less than light and joy.
Live now as if this is so. Borrow from these promises and infuse them into today’s travail. Choose to live with the hope of glory firmly in hand. Jesus Himself reminds us to fix our eyes on forever with Him.
“When I see you again, you’ll be full of joy, and it will be a joy no one can rob from you. You’ll no longer be so full of questions.” (John 16:21 MSG)
Lord, we long for joy. This desire seems to be hardwired into our systems. We recognize You, Creator, as our true and lasting source of joy and we look forward with full assurance of the joy that is to come. Sustain us this promise as we wait on the full unfolding of Your promises. Amen.