In this psalm, we are reminded of God’s presence and provision in both the good times and the bad. We may be in a period of sadness, disappointment, fear, or loss, but these words declare it won’t last forever. “Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” In the same way, when we are in a period of peace, accomplishment, happiness, or hopefulness, there are no promises it will remain that way. We, like the psalmist in vs. 7, are somehow surprised when things fall apart. Yet, in all of it, there is the Lord, turning our mourning into dancing; taking off our sackcloth and clothing us with joy. And the best response to all of it is praise and thanksgiving.
Can you recall a difficult time from which you though you would never recover? What gave you hope? What burden might you be carrying into God’s joy-filled morning?
Offer a prayer of thanksgiving for the newness of each day, no matter what it brings.