By Pastor William Y. K. Brown Ph.D
(Resident Pastor)
Seventh-day Adventist Church
Osu-Bethel.
Tel: 0244165628/0243310773.
wykbrown@gmail.com
WEDNESDAY
THEME: CLEAR PROMISES IN AFFLICTION
SCRIPTURE: Psalms 30:5
“For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.”
REFLECTIONS
Does God care? Indeed, He does. Does the righteous suffer like the wicked? Yes, it is even worse sometimes, but there is a difference. The former suffer with hope; the latter appear clueless and devastated. The righteous suffer under the direct watch of God with the aim of polishing and refining the individual and, most importantly, glorifying God. For those who trust in God, Psalms 34:19-20, 22 reveals, “[19]Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all. [20]He guards all his bones; Not one of them is broken. [22]The Lord redeems the soul of His servants, And none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.” There is no condemnation for those in Christ (Romans 8:1).
In pain, suffering, or chastening, Psalms 30:5,7-8,11-12 reminds us, “[5]For His anger is, but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning. [7]Lord, by Your favor You have made my mountain stand strong; You hid Your face, and I was troubled. [8]I cried out to You, O Lord; And to the Lord I made supplication: [11]You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, [12]To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.” This is the experience God brings us to so that we can appreciate His thoughts concerning us.
Many times, we offend, but God does not abandon us. He becomes displeased with us when we sin, but momentarily. For the sinner, grace brings God’s favor and life. God watches how we bear the consequences of our sins and suffering in general. Then His promise comes through forcefully – “Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.” The morning of a fresh beginning, hope, renewal, reconnection, and reconciliation will be your experience in the Lord. In difficult times, remember God’s forbearance and mercy revealed in Acts 17:30, Romans 2:4, and Romans 3:25.
David attests to the glorious morning taking over our bizarre night by declaring in Psalms 103:8-13 – “[8]The Lord is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. [9]He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever. [10]He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities. [11]For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; [12]As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
[13]As a father pities his children, So the Lord pities those who fear Him.” Think about it: we sin and bruise ourselves, and then God comes around to treat our wounds with mercy and, by the same token of mercy, carry us on His shoulders. The Lord loves you notwithstanding.
MY SONG OF COMMITMENT
“You Raised Me Up” – Josh Gorban
LET US PRAY
– Praise and thank God for being there for you always; thank God for His abounding mercies; pray to accept God’s correction in good faith;
– Pray for those who are suffering the consequences of their wrong choices that God’s mercies will set them free;
– Pray for Christians to have faith in every word God has uttered; pray for family members and acquaintances who are persistently disobedient to God;
– Pray for the nation’s peace and development; pray for resolving conflicts, enhancing patriotism, and encouraging the fear of God in the country.
