Psalm 30

1 I will exalt you, O LORD,
for you lifted me out of the depths
and did not let my enemies gloat over me.

2 O LORD my God, I called to you for help
and you healed me.

3 O LORD, you brought me up from the grave;
you spared me from going down into the pit.

4 Sing to the LORD, you saints of his;
praise his holy name.

5 For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may remain for a night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning.

6 When I felt secure, I said,
"I will never be shaken."

7 O LORD, when you favored me,
you made my mountain stand firm;
but when you hid your face,
I was dismayed.

8 To you, O LORD, I called;
to the Lord I cried for mercy:

9 "What gain is there in my destruction,
in my going down into the pit?
Will the dust praise you?
Will it proclaim your faithfulness?

10 Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me;
O LORD, be my help."

11 You turned my wailing into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,

12 that my heart may sing to you and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.

God's love for us is simply amazing. He loves us even before we love him. Throughout the psalm, I felt that the psalmist was reminding that God's love for us is everlasting. Even the worst of situations will eventually pass, and God's goodness will be revealed.

Just look at verses 11 to 12. God will turn our wailing to dancing; remove our sackcloth and cloth us with joy.

I used to think that God will change the negative circumstances in our lives, and then we will feel joyful about it.

But the Holy Spirit showed me how wrong I was when I heard about Nick Vujicic's testimony.

God may or may not change our negative circumstances. But if we believe in Him and trust Him, our perspectives of the same thing can be changed. And hence, our despair and wailing will be turn into joy. Joy in the Lord.

I recalled that at the age of 19, when I was unable to obtain any overseas scholarship (despite getting almost perfect score in my 'A' levels), I was a bitter man. I was emotionally down and I felt that it was unfair.

After I received Christ a few years later, I still didn't get any overseas scholarship. But my whole perspective changed. I began to understand that God had a plan for me. He wanted to break my pride so that I can accept Him into my life. God had turned my wailing into dancing. All glory to God!


Things to ponder
1. On a scale of 1 to 10, rate your joy level today.
2. What are some things that are robbing your joy away? Name two.
3. What are some new perspectives that God is showing you with regards to the two things mentioned?
4. Pray and thank God for all He has done.

Click here for Pastor YC's reflection on Psalm 30