Joy Comes in the Morning (Psalm 30)

How many of you love to go hiking?

Well…I’ve discovered something about hiking. Quite often…it sounds like an excellent idea…when we’re sitting on the couch! We think…it will be…good exercise. We think it will be good…to be out in nature…and hear the birds singing…and smell the wonderful trees, with beautiful sunshine on our face and lots of fresh air. And usually…we think…we will be walking…on a nice…clear…trail.

But then reality hits: The trail is never as smooth as we imagined. And suddenly, we’re dodging tree roots…sticking up in the path…swatting mosquitoes or deer flies…biting our skin…and a gentle breeze is…non-existent!

We also find ourselves wondering why…the scenic overlook…that was just one mile away…now feels like it’s five miles…uphill both ways!

And let’s be honest! Some of us…not all of us…but some of us…are doing good…just. To. Survive! Indeed, we tell ourselves, it’s all about the journey…not the destination; while secretly hoping…the destination has a snack bar…a nice bench…and…an ice-cold beverage…waiting for us…at the end!

But isn’t that a picture of life itself? Sometimes life is smooth and beautiful. And sometimes…life is rocky, uneven…and feels like the rough spots are going to last forever!

And that’s where Psalm 30 comes in…because it reminds us that even when the path is challenging and the night feels long, God is with us; steadying our steps, encouraging us, and promising us…that no matter what we encounter…joy comes in the morning.

You see, this particular Psalm…acknowledges both the valleys of sorrow and the mountaintops of joy. It doesn’t deny the hard nights of tears. It doesn’t sugarcoat the challenges we go through. But it points us to the sunrise…toward the hope that comes…because God is both powerful and faithful. God is always with us…comforting, strengthening…and encouraging us…every step of the way.

It’s true that God may or may not change our circumstances…but God promises to stand with us…throughout all our adversities.

A Hike at Red River Gorge

This past Spring…Jeff and I went on a vacation with my daughter, Mallory, and her husband, John, and our two grandchildren.

And we visited Red River Gorge in Kentucky…have you heard of it? It’s a beautiful piece of nature. Anyway…the kids wanted to go on a hike…to see Gray’s Arch…which is a natural bridge…created by geological erosions…over millions of years.

Now, Mallory and John go hiking all the time. But Jeff and I? Well, that’s a different story!

We haven’t hiked anywhere in years…except down to the end of our lane…to our mailbox…and back…to our house.

But this hike was rated as an easy day hike. So, we decided…to go along for the fun!

At first, the trail was easy. Things were flat. The paths were clear. And it was basically a wide…path…with no obstacles. The sun was filtering through the trees…and the spring flowers were starting to bloom…and yes, the birds were singing and there was, believe it or not, …a gentle breeze. Conditions…were PERFECT!

But suddenly…we started taking some sharp turns. Tree roots appeared in the path…and big stones started getting in the way…and there were a lot of trip hazards. Not to mention…that we were on a steady decline…going down…into the shadows of the gorge.

I said to Jeff, “Gosh…we just keep going down…and…we are going to have to climb back up…at some point.” But we just laughed…and kept on hiking.

Suddenly, we came to a wooden staircase…and there were so many steps that I could barely see the end. And in the middle of the staircase, I passed a woman…climbing the steps…and she said she and her husband hike all the time…and she warned us:

“Honey, if you’re not used to hiking…you’d better turn around now! This hike back up these steps…is no joke! I’m not sure…I’m going to make it.”

Now I wish I could tell you I took her advice. But no! I decided that I had come too far…to give up now.

So I kept climbing down the seemingly…endless stairway.

Finally, we found ourselves standing under the magnificent…Gray Arch. So, we stood underneath it and marveled at its beauty. We rehydrated and caught our breath; then we gathered the courage to climb back up the steps…and out of the gorge.

You know…this hike was more difficult than an easy day hike…like the brochure described it. And sadly, at one point…I wanted to give up. I sat down on a rock…and told John and Mallory to go on without me.

And while I sat there, I wondered…what would happen…if I couldn’t get back up. I thought, will they send a park ranger to airlift me out of here? Or will they come and rescue me on horseback? Either way…I knew…I didn’t want that to happen. I didn’t want to fail.

Then I heard one of the sweetest sounds…I’ve ever heard…in my life! My son-in-law, John, came running down the path, and he said, “Come on, Mary Beth…You can do this. It’s just a little bit further…up this hill…and you will be back to the car.”

Friends…that’s precisely what I needed to hear! John’s encouraging words…gave me the courage to get up, persevere, and climb up…out…of that gorge!

God Meets Us in Shadows and Sunlight

Isn’t that how life feels sometimes? Sometimes…seasons of difficulty, hardship, and loss…come crashing in on us. Life seems hopeless, and we feel helpless…and we feel like we can’t go on.

Then when we need it…at just the right time…moments of grace and glimpses of glory…come breaking through the darkness. God meets us in both places. In both the shadows and the sunlight. God is ALWAYS there!

Theologian Henri Nouwen once said, “Joy never denies the sadness, but transforms it to fertile soil for more joy.” Meaning that choosing to claim joy…even in the midst of suffering, turns life into a celebration,…a testament to the idea that…pain can be a passageway to something wider…and deeper. God’s power and faithfulness are on full display when we embrace and accept our suffering.

You know…avoiding sorrow at all costs…prevents us from experiencing true joy. And if we only desire smooth paths…agony can never reach us either. Joy and sorrow are the parents of spiritual growth. And it is God who enables us to feel and live into both.

Friends, when we stumble over rocky trails…when we face grief, sickness, job loss, broken relationships, or uncertainty—it is God who…steadies our steps. And when we find ourselves in a valley of shadows, God is there, walking beside us. And when the way smooths out again…our eyes are opened to the sacredness of life itself…by none other than God.

Sacred Earth and Sacred Worth

So, how does God do this?

Well, sometimes…it’s through the sacred earth: the beauty of nature itself can comfort us. Seeing the sun rising over the mountains, or watching deer…graze in the meadow…or hearing the water cascade in a river or a stream…resets us and reminds us of God’s constant care. Perhaps noticing the resilience of a tree deeply rooted in the soil…will give us strength, or watching the multiple colors of a sunset…will help us to sit in the reassurance of God’s creative power.

Still, sometimes God works through sacred worth: Maybe an unexpected stranger says the right words…at the right time. Or a child’s laughter cuts through our sorrow. Or the kindness of a friend or family member who refuses to let us walk the hard road alone…stops by…to offer us compassion and hope.

All of this reminds us…how precious we are to God…that we are not alone. Friends, we are ALL beloved children of God…that have sacred worth. So we can trust and have faith that God will always be with us.

Sackcloth to Joy

You know…King David…who is said to be the author of this poem of praise and thanksgiving…knew what it is like to live in despair. David survived many hardships and seasons of disappointment…throughout his life. David says, “O Lord, You brought up my soul from Sheol;…You Restored. My. Life!”

So, all of the sadness, struggles, and feelings of despair that David endured…didn’t have the last word. No! God’s faithful presence transformed David’s mourning during his trials and tribulations…into triumph and dancing. God turned David’s sackcloth into joy!

Friends, this is the essential part of this passage. You see…during Biblical times…when people were grieving or struggling in life, they would put on sackcloth…which were garments made of coarse goat or camel hair…and we can imagine that sackcloth was uncomfortable to wear.

Those struggling did this to signify their deep sorrow or grief. This let others know that life wasn’t going well…for them. Then they would sit at the temple gates…as a public proclamation…declaring that they were in distress.

They knew that Priests or other leaders of their society would come by, as well as compassionate people from their community…and they would see their sackcloth and hear their plea for help. And out of their compassion, the community would come together to help rescue…their neighbor.

Perhaps they would lend a listening ear. Give them food or shelter…or offer them mercy, forgiveness…or loving words of advice.

And Friends, this humble act…took not only courage…but also an openness to admit…that sometimes…life…is tough! Sometimes…life…is what it is. It’s not always perfect.

And here’s the thing we are called to remember today: by coming to the temple…the people received what they needed, and they didn’t have to suffer alone.

Community and God’s Help

Friends…How many times…do we refuse the help of God by putting on a façade…and acting like nothing is wrong? How often do we choose to carry our crosses alone…when God is waiting to offer help…through our BUMC Friends and family?

This is what being created for community…is all about! God has given us all a deep desire to help one another through our trials and suffering…so that no one. NOT one person has to suffer alone.

There is peace waiting for us…when we put on our sackcloth and humble ourselves and receive the love of God through others.

So my prayer for all of us this day is that…whether our paths are rocky, winding, or smooth…we will remember we are part of this sacred earth…and we are all persons of sacred worth. And that God who raised Jesus from the grave…is faithfully walking with us.

May we find God…in the laughter of children…in the kindness of friends…and in the beauty of the earth. So that together our sorrows will be turned into joy and our paths of life will be turned into praise…and we will live…our best lives…by giving God all the glory.

Come, Holy Spirit…I pray it may be so. Amen.