Concordia Choir: Exsultate (Brian Edward Galante)
Joy is a lovely, festive word. It has become a holiday word for many people, intimately associated with Christmas. Driving to work in the morning, I pass holiday banners proclaiming: “Peace.” “Hope.” “Joy.” They are nice, seasonal greetings.
But do they hold up? In fact, during an early morning drive, with coffee barely kicking in, and a long day ahead, would your first thought be “Joy”?
Maybe our mornings are better characterized by routine: doing what needs to be done. Getting by. I just want to survive this day, this week, this month, this season.
Or perhaps we greet the new day with anxiety. What will happen today? Can I get everything done? Will I mess up this day like every other? Left alone, we do our best, but how can we endure?
The season of Advent looks head on at such uncomfortable situations. It calls us to recognize that all is not well. We need deliverance. So this is the cry of Advent. “How long, Oh Lord?” “Come quickly Jesus!” “Deliver me!”
Psalm 30 is King David’s song for the dedication of the Temple. God heard him when he cried for help. The Lord lifted him from the pit. He turned mourning into dancing, and changed grief’s sackcloth into clothing of gladness. Therefore David could confess:
Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning (Psalm 30:4).
The Lord God, in his faithfulness, has brought true joy into the darkest of places.
David rejoiced to see God act. He rejoiced in the abundance of God’s blessings. Yet David also foresaw the better blessing that was yet to come. God’s dwelling in the Temple was joyful, but a greater joy would be revealed when God took on human flesh, dwelled among his people, and revealed his glory (John 1:14).
In Advent, we wait upon our faithful God. As we wait, we may know times of sadness, difficulty, and frustration. We know times of grief and mourning. We experience seasons of pain and challenge. But we endure them in faith.
Joy comes with the morning. The Savior is ours, and he comes again to deliver us.
Lord Jesus, come to us. Give us your joy.