Psalm 30:5 says, “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.” Commentators see the context of this Psalm of David referring to the plagues that befell the nation after David’s arrogant numbering of the people. Sickness came, but with confession and repentance came forgiveness, restoration, and healing. Like David, we all find ourselves with consequences for actions or words we wish we could take back. The Scriptures are clear on the reality of “sowing and reaping.” Yet, God’s anger with our sin and arrogance is much like a loving parent’s displeasure with his child. He might chide, discipline, or even spank the child, yet this does not diminish the love for that child. Discipline is brief, but God’s love is for a lifetime.
Mrs. H. B. Stowe wrote, “It is said that gardeners sometimes when they would bring a rose to richer flowering, deprive it for a season of light and moisture. Silent and dark, it stands, dropping one fading leaf after another and seeming to go down patiently to death. But when every leaf is dropped, and the plant stands stripped to the uttermost, a new life is even then working in the buds, from which shall spring tender foliage and a brighter wealth of flowers. So often, in celestial gardening, every leaf of earthly joy must drop before a new and Divine bloom visits the soul.”
Our hurts and sorrows, whether we bring them on ourselves by bad choices or hubris of spirit or not, are destined to pass. In our personal walk with the God who loves us, we can be sure that forgiveness is ours as much as it was David’s. We can be sure that the sorrows and sufferings of life will come to pass. In the night hours, things look bad. Everything looks worse at night. But, wait on the Lord. The morning is at hand. Fanny Crosby wrote many hymns. Among them are these words:
O child of God, wait patiently when dark thy path may be,
And let thy faith lean trusting on Him Who cares for thee;
And though the clouds hang drearily upon the brow of night,
Yet in the morning, joy will come and fill thy soul with light.
The Psalmist tells us, “Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.” (Psalm 27:14)