WHEN ever it rains –which it is doing as I write this- I am reminded of a godly gentlemen, a retired pastor in our church who has gone to be with the Lord, who frequently and faithfully prayed for rain like no one else I knew. I never thought to ask him why, thinking maybe his roots may have been in the mid-west farmlands, and his prayerful habit was born out of growing up with that experiential necessity. Or maybe he was raised a Southern Californian, knowing this fertile coastline really is a desert, depending on out of state water resources for it greenery. But the fact is we need the rain to enliven the soil; the foothills of California do turn many shades of green with wondrous purple, yellow, and white sagebrush flowers when the annual and intermittent rains refresh the landscape, and turn quite brown when those rains fade away with the summer heat. –Of course, if the returning rains follow the fall brush fires that often visit the hillsides of Southern California, then mudslides and flooding ensue. But that’s a different story -and after all, the one thing we can be thankful for is that the necessary rains do end, do not last forever. Which brings me to today’s consideration – every storm runs out of rain. If that sounds like it might make a good country song title, well … it does and is. The song is on one of my iTunes playlist, bringing to mind one of my favorite Scriptures, Psalms 30:5,11.
Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning…. You have turned for me my mourning into dancing”, … “my sorrow into laughter, my sadness into joy.”
EARLY on in my Christian life, I was blessed to have a wonderful mentor. One of the things he taught me –more like drilled into me- was the necessity of hiding away (memorizing) certain key scriptures in my heart for quick reference in time of need; 1John 1:9, 1Cor 10:13; Rom 8:28, Phil 1:6, and so on. It wasn’t a long list, but verses that defined fundamental promises, principles, and foundational understandings for critical and challenging moments that would most certainly be encountered. I have found this laying down of fundamental understandings to be true and needful in every area of life. Whether it is tending a garden, learning photography, running a complex power plant, or building relationships, no matter what the task there are basic principles that must be understood, mastered, and adhered to for success.
IN addition to those basic verses, there were basic teachings as well. I still have that early on lists of 38 topics for basic studies, and a valuable old study guide titled “34 Things”, thirty-four things that happen to a believer at the point of salvations. This is one of the reasons I have come to appreciate the Westminster Catechisms so much – 107 short doctrinal reference points of truth in the Shorter Catechism expanded into 196 concise instructions inscribed in the Larger.
DAVID wrote. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. (Psa. 119:11) That which causes us to stumble and despair when the storms appear in our life is a direct result of our failure to hide that Word and points of truth in our heart for those troubled times and temptations. …I smiled whenever I hear that country song and its words: Every storm runs out of rain, every dark night turns into day, and every heartache will fade away. It reminded me of an old jazz tune I enjoyed so much and still have on another iTunes playlist; “I know this night, won’t last forever; I know the Sun’s going to shine someday”. All this reminds me that God has written eternity on our hearts, that we know the truth though we try with all our might to suppress the truth in unrighteousness (Ecc. 3:11, Rom. 1:18). His Word and ways are true, and we are surround by His witness in nature and yes, in song as our ears and hearts are tuned to hear.
TIME and time again I have turned to fundamental verses when in need, Psalm 30: 5 -12 being on the list:
Weeping may endure for a night,
But joy comes in the morning.
Hear, O LORD, and have mercy on me;
LORD, be my helper!”
You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,
To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever.
I OFTEN come to Psalm 30 verse 5 and 11 when going through particularly difficult times. In them I’m reminded that we serve a Redeemer King, a Kinsman Redeemer no less, and on each resurrection Sunday – each Lord’s Day, we are particularly reminded that even death could not hold him, nor will it find ultimate victory over any of His own in time or eternity. He who did the most for us when we were his enemies, will he do less for us now as his redeemed? (Rom. 5)
WHATEVER trial or difficulty we may be facing, it is but for a moment, enduring only for a night, and will give way to the morning glory, tender mercies, and infinite grace of our loving God. Every storm does runs out of rain, every dark night does turns into day, and every heartache will fade away in the compassions of our Lord.
In the wondrous blessings of Christ,
Joe
Neh. 8:10, Isa 30:15 & Job 2:10
