This Day in History: 0000-05-29

May 29 – Psalms 30

I will exalt You, Lord, for You rescued me. You refused to let my enemies triumph over me.
Oh Lord my God, I cried to You for help, and You restored my health.
You brought me up from the grave, oh Lord.
You kept me from falling into the pit of death. 
Sing to the Lord, all you godly ones!  Praise His holy name.
For His anger lasts only a moment, but His favor lasts a lifetime!
Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.
When I was prosperous, I said, “Nothing can stop me now!” 
Your favor, oh Lord, made me as secure as a mountain.
Then You turned away from me, and I was shattered. I cried out to You, oh Lord. 
I begged the Lord for mercy, saying, 
“What will You gain if I die, if I sink into the grave? Can my dust praise You? Can I tell of Your faithfulness? Hear me, Lord, and have mercy on me. Help me, oh Lord.”
You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, that I might sing praises to You and not be silent. Oh Lord, my God, I will give You thanks forever!”

Is this our attitude in times of trial?  I can’t honestly say that it’s always been mine.  (I’m getting a lot better at it though.  Thank God for His sanctifying work!)  Many times, it has been my tendency to throw a pity party when life looks bleak, and I have even begged God to end my life; to allow me to leave this wretched world. But the psalmist does the very opposite.  You see, in his eyes, every day of life is an opportunity to praise God; to bring glory to His name.  When life looks bleak and hopeless he simply cries out to the Lord for help and appeals to the mercy of God Almighty to grant him the opportunity to praise Him more.

Do we see every single day, every single minute, as an opportunity to praise God?  Do we count each day a privilege bestowed through the favor of our Savior?  Or, when things get difficult, do we act as if our misery will last forever – allowing these thoughts to defeat us in gloom and self-pity?  Do we cry out to God and ask Him to grant us the privilege of another day to honor Him?  Or have we forgotten the promise here?

Whatever we suffer, it is temporary.  Our weeping may last for a time, but a morning is coming when our joy will be restored.  Are we living expectantly, knowing that God always keeps His promises?  Are we anticipating that day, eager to give all the glory to Him?  Will we thank Him forever?  Our Heavenly Father is trustworthy. While our wayward hearts may arouse His anger for a moment, His favor will last for as long as we live.  So, no matter what today or tomorrow holds, may we all find comfort in His mercy and exalt Him with every breath!