December 30, 2014
It’s always darkest before dawn, goes the saying. It’s a statement of perspective: the light of day reveals how very dark the night has been.
"Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning." (Psalm 30:5)
Problems and trouble weigh heavy in the darkness of night. But, the brightness of a new morning often brings hope and a new perspective. The sorrow of the night gives way to the joy of the morning.
This present age is an age of darkness. Evil abounds in the darkness, and moral bearings are lost in the night. “For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night.” (1 Thessalonians 5.7) Nighttime is conducive to lack of restraint and lack of vigilance. The normal cycle of life is for us to sleep at night; to be unaware. So it is in this age: lack of restraint and awareness - for the purpose of pleasure - most often leads to regret and sorrow in the light of day.
The bright morning to come is the kingdom age to come. And, it is to this age that we truly belong: "But you, brethren, are not in darkness ... for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness" (1 Thessalonians 5:4-5).
The contrast could not be greater: night and day, darkness and light. The contrasting differences in priorities and lifestyle could not be greater either. That which is important to the people of God is mocked with disdain by the dark world. And, that which delights those of the darkness is abhorrent to the children of light.
Although we don’t belong to the darkness of this age, none of God’s people are immune to the weeping associated with it. Dreams are sometimes dashed. Marriages and families sometimes crumble. The pain of this present darkness pervades. But, in our moments of weeping, the prospect of the shout of joy that comes in the morning burns brightest. That shout will largely come with the reality of resurrection: reunion with sleeping loved ones, freedom from pain and aging, life and energy such as we have never known.
Today can be a “dress rehearsal” for the joyful shouting of the morning to come. Through the dynamic indwelling Spirit - a down payment of the life and joy to come - we can sample some of the joy of tomorrow. May we each enjoy a delightful and fulfilling taste today.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2014
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
Amazon ebook & print devotional -http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy of book — https://www.createspace.com/4500045
"Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning." (Psalm 30:5)
Problems and trouble weigh heavy in the darkness of night. But, the brightness of a new morning often brings hope and a new perspective. The sorrow of the night gives way to the joy of the morning.
This present age is an age of darkness. Evil abounds in the darkness, and moral bearings are lost in the night. “For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night.” (1 Thessalonians 5.7) Nighttime is conducive to lack of restraint and lack of vigilance. The normal cycle of life is for us to sleep at night; to be unaware. So it is in this age: lack of restraint and awareness - for the purpose of pleasure - most often leads to regret and sorrow in the light of day.
The bright morning to come is the kingdom age to come. And, it is to this age that we truly belong: "But you, brethren, are not in darkness ... for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness" (1 Thessalonians 5:4-5).
The contrast could not be greater: night and day, darkness and light. The contrasting differences in priorities and lifestyle could not be greater either. That which is important to the people of God is mocked with disdain by the dark world. And, that which delights those of the darkness is abhorrent to the children of light.
Although we don’t belong to the darkness of this age, none of God’s people are immune to the weeping associated with it. Dreams are sometimes dashed. Marriages and families sometimes crumble. The pain of this present darkness pervades. But, in our moments of weeping, the prospect of the shout of joy that comes in the morning burns brightest. That shout will largely come with the reality of resurrection: reunion with sleeping loved ones, freedom from pain and aging, life and energy such as we have never known.
Today can be a “dress rehearsal” for the joyful shouting of the morning to come. Through the dynamic indwelling Spirit - a down payment of the life and joy to come - we can sample some of the joy of tomorrow. May we each enjoy a delightful and fulfilling taste today.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2014
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
Amazon ebook & print devotional -http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy of book — https://www.createspace.com/4500045
posted by steve @ 8:28 AM
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