Hope Through Endurance, Psalm 30:4-5

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Opening Prayer: We endure the mysteries of life day in and day out.  The good moments and the bad come and go, leaving us with mountaintop feelings and valley frustrations.  But You, O Lord, are always there for us.  We glorify You during the high and lofty experiences, and we cry out for Your mercy during the down and out trials of our faith.  It is You alone who can put us back on track.  It is You, Lord, who keep us sane.  We praise You, for You alone are worthy of our worship, Jesus.  Amen!

Today’s Bible Verse: Psalm 30:4-5 (NKJV)

Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.

Associated Scriptures:

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope (Romans 15:4).

…being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light (Colossians 1:11-13).

But you, being a man of God, flee from all this and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness (1 Timothy 6:11).

Correlative Quotes:

As soon as the Lord looked favorably upon David, the city lived, and the king’s heart lived too. We die like withered flowers when the Lord frowns, but his sweet smile revives us as the dews refresh the fields. His favor not only sweetens and cheers life, but it is life itself, the very essence of life. Who would know life, let him seek the favor of the Lord?[1] – Charles Spurgeon

Joy (cometh) ... "Weeping" gives place to "joy," a new and better guest. So the chastisement inflicted by God on David for his pride in numbering the people lasted only from morning until evening (2 Samuel 24:15). [2] – Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, David Brown

A double antithesis molds the beautiful image of the last clause. Night and morning are contrasted, as are weeping and joy; and the latter contrast is more striking if it is observed that " joy " is a "joyful shout," raised by the voice that had been breaking into audible weeping.[3] – Alexander Maclaren

Author’s Notes:

INTRODUCTION

As those in peril lie unable to sleep, they play the mental video of the days and nights of anguish over what may come.  Self-inflicted grief and sorrow weigh heavily on their souls as they wallow in self-pity.  These sorriest of mortals toss and turn, unable to sleep, worried about what the morning will bring.  Their bedclothes are damp from the perspiration of the unexpected. 

They seek answers that will not come.  Tears of sadness and remorse dampen the pillow beneath a hopeless spirit.  But joy comes with the news of the morning.  Their hearts once again surge as they praise God for answers that they so eagerly but impatiently awaited.  When will they ever learn?  God has His timing, and it is always perfect.

Sometimes it’s exasperating to wait on God.  Some people can’t trust in God and move ahead in their power.  Too often they blame God when the decisions they make are disastrous.  “Where were you when I needed you, Lord.”  Then they wake up one morning and everything seems to fall into place.  However, instead of praising God for the outcome, they feel pride in themselves and accept personal credit for their accomplishment. 

The miracles of God are with us continually.  The unpredicted rain threatening to ruin long-term plans becomes a sun-filled day, perfect for the completion of a project.  The promotion seemingly slipping away because of an incomplete assignment suddenly rights itself as everything miraculously falls into place.  The late start threatens an important meeting, and suddenly all the traffic lights are green and arrival is early.  These marvels are the work of a loving God who knows our needs and answers prayer.

PATIENCE: A PREREQUISITE TO HOPE

  1. Remember God’s Position: (vs. 4, NKJV) Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope (Romans 15:4).

Patience in the lives of believers sets hope for the future ablaze.  The practice of patience strengthens our perseverance.  Perseverance reinforces and encourages endurance and makes hope more believable in the future. 

When Olympic athletes position themselves into their starting blocks to begin a sprint, they are prepared to run the race of their lives.  They hope to come in first and they all believe they can win.  As we watch in expectation, we are not aware of their commitment.  We do not see the hours of training they have invested.  Observers cannot fathom the pain and the suffering experienced to reach this final race.  No one knows the years invested and the personal sacrifices made to contend at this level of competition.

Each runner’s commitment to success was built on the hope of winning.  However, the patience and persistence leading to the endurance they now experience were predicated and maintained by the hope for victory in the end.  Hope is ongoing.  Patience and exhaustion fuel that hope.

God rewards His children when they are patient and wait on Him (Psalm 27:14).

  1. God can be Angry: (vs. 5a) For His anger is but for a moment.

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient (Ephesians 5:6).

Anger and wrath are not to be confused.  Anger is the deep, passionate feeling of disgust, disappointment, or dissatisfaction with someone or something because they or it didn’t perform as expected. 

With God, anger comes more from disappointment.  God maintains a limitless expectation for a true, close relationship with His children.  He loves us deeply.  In Hosea 8:6, God was disappointed with His chosen people living in the Northern Kingdom.  God encouraged them to repent: Throw out your calf-idol, O Samaria! My anger burns against them. How long will they be incapable of purity?  He wanted synergy not sacrifice.  God is not interested in gold and precious jewels, the sacrifice of our hands, He wants our hearts. 

Anger leads to wrath.  Wrath takes anger to the next level.  Then, wrath’s fury puts anger’s rage into action.  A person may be angry at a computer that continually crashes.  However, when anger (rage) reaches the level of wrath (fury), the person might throw the computer across the room, causing the crash to be permanent.

Wrath is anger directed at sin.  Therefore wait for me," declares the Lord, "for the day I will stand up to testify. I have decided to assemble the nations, to gather the kingdoms, and to pour out my wrath on them all my fierce anger.  The whole world will be consumed by the fire of my jealous anger (Zephaniah 3:7).

The anger of God enhanced by His wrath is catastrophic.  Nahum 1:6 asks: Who can withstand his indignation? Who can endure his fierce anger? His wrath is poured out like fire; the rocks are shattered before him.  Zephaniah 2:1-2 speaks of the end times after which there will be no hope of recovery, no hope of salvation.  God says: Gather together, gather together, O shameful nation before the appointed time arrives and that day sweeps on like chaff, before the fierce anger of the Lord comes upon you, before the day of the Lord's wrath comes upon you

Praise God every day.  Those who are repentant will escape His anger and wrath (Romans 2:5).

  1. God’s Favor Brings True Life: (5b) His favor is life…

He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life (1 John 5:12).

Jesus promises life.  He gives us new life here on earth and provides eternal life once we die.  The spirit of mankind was dead to Christ, but now it has been born again (John 3:3-6).  Through His blood sacrifice on the cross, Christ’s payment has been made and we are now alive in Him.  His Spirit gives life to our spirit (Romans 8:11).  We become alive in Jesus.

  1. Humility Opens the Door to Hope: (5c) …weeping may endure for a night,

But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble (Proverbs 4:19).

While we were living in darkness, unaware of the blessing of the light, we were continually disappointed by societal pressures and failure.  We were reduced to tears not knowing where to turn for help.  We were lost with no hope of redemption.

  1. Joy, the Product of Hope: (5d) …joy comes in the morning.

When we believed in Jesus, made Him the Lord of our lives, and accepted the truth of the resurrection, we were given new life.  At the very moment of our salvation, we received the gift of joy and happiness.  That joy has become a permanent fixture in our lives.

Spiritual Application:

Where would we be without hope in our lives?  What would be the source of joy without confirmation of eternal life?  How would we survive the day-to-day struggles without the endurance to overcome this world and its battles?  However, those who love Jesus and trust completely in Him do not have to worry about the wrath of God.  His children will not experience tribulation (Revelation 3:10).

Lessons within the Lesson:

What is this Psalm saying to us?

Why do you think David’s complaining is so open to God?

Have you ever complained to God?

How was the complaint resolved?

[1] Charles Spurgeon, Psalm 30:4-5, Treasury of David, Vol. 2, Public Domain, Marshall Brothers, Ltd. Publishers London, Edinburgh and New York, P. 45.

[2] Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, David Brown, Psalm 30:4-5, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, Ibid., P. 164.

[3] Alexander Maclaren, Exposition of the Holy Scriptures, The Psalms Vol. I-XXX, Public Domain, Ibid, P.284.