Psalm 30
I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up
and have not let my foes rejoice over me.
O Lord my God, I cried to you for help,
and you have healed me.
O Lord, you have brought up my soul from Sheol;
you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.
Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints,
and give thanks to his holy name.
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.
If you have had a really rough day, you know that it only gets worse as you get more tired. Then, rather than being able to set the matter aside for a moment, it is common for people to keep trying to work things out, miserably dwelling on the problem. You have probably heard someone talk about being “up all night” with worry or upset feelings. This is what I mean. When we are tired, we just can’t let go. You have probably experienced this yourself.
However, you have probably also noticed that, if you do manage to get some sleep, things are better. The problems, though they may still remain, don’t seem as big. The text is talking about this feeling when it says “weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.”
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if this happened for all problems? Sadly some problems don’t go away just by getting a good night of sleep, but thankfully, God is merciful and loving. For the greatest problems, even our Sin and death, God has sent His Son Jesus. Jesus died on the cross and when He was laid in the tomb, He provided the rest we could never have accomplished. He buried our sins, and forgives our debt. He raises us from slavery to sinful thoughts, actions, and attitudes. He sets us free.
Those who confess their sins and trust in Jesus receive the rest for their soul that is more than any physical rest. It is the rest that the Psalmist extols in this psalm, the rejoicing of being redeemed and restored by God’s Grace.
Let us pray,
Help me Lord, in the midst of a difficult day, to turn to you. As I confess my sins, forgive me for Jesus’ sake, and grant me the divine rest of the faith. Thus restored, help me to live in the pattern that you have shown in your Word and Your Son. In His Name I pray, AMEN.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.