Weeping may last through the night,
but joy comes with the morning.
Psalm 30:5

Read: Psalm 30:1-5, Psalm 107:10-22
Pilgrim’s Progress Stage 4 Part 9

Relate: I have heard a story about an elderly pastor who was being honored for his long time in ministry. Honestly, I don’t know if the story is true or apocryphal, but let’s just say he was being honored for fifty years of service in a small country church. After a few people spoke about the impact he had, this elderly pastor was called on to make a few remarks. He shared about the joys, but also the trials of his life, and how God always brought him through, and those trials are always temporary. He said when he was going through difficulties, he would just hold on to one of his favorite verses in the Bible. Then he turned in his battered old KJV to Luke 2:1 and read just five words: “And it came to pass.”

This is just one of dozens of places he could have used to read that exact same phrase. The Bible is a transitory story. One thing moves to another except the grace of God, his nature, and our eternal destination. The stories and events, the trials and tribulations, the victories and triumphs… they all come to pass. Just as Christian’s trials came to pass not because of his faithfulness, not because of his struggles or doubts. It came to pass because the sun arose.

React: Are things going great in your life? Cherish it. Are you walking through your own Valley of the Shadow of Death? As the worship leader Ron Kenoly once sang, “If you catch hell, don’t hold it. If you’re going through hell, don’t stop.” This dark time will also come to pass. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. And it is not a train.

Respond:

Dear God,
Thank You for making this life transient. When I am going through dark and difficult times, help me to remember that it will come to pass. And when things are going great, help me to cherish the moment, knowing that this too will pass.
Amen