“…Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.” Psalm 30:5 (NLT)
I think most of us would agree that we’ve had enough of Winter and we’re ready for the promise of Spring’s renewal, refreshment, and rebirth. This past year has been long and challenging for many across our community and nation for a number of reasons. And now we’re finally beginning to feel the warmth of Spring and the hope of a season filled with rejuvenation.
Psalm 30:5 gives us a promise to hold on to during challenging times – “Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.” Life is full of different seasons, some joyful and warm, some cold and filled with sadness. At times we walk through dark valleys, but then we emerge into greener pastures. This season of difficulty, anxiety, illness, and loss will soon pass away, and a new season, a new morning, will bring with it new joy.
We’ve now entered into Lent, the church season characterized by sorrow, humility and waiting as we approach Holy Week and Easter. In many ways, the difficult experiences we’ve encountered over the past year have been like a really long Lent, extended now for months instead of weeks.
Lent invites us to examine our brokenness. It prepares us for Easter by reminding us that we need the Savior, that we’re lost without God’s grace. We can’t save ourselves or fix all our problems. We are dust and ashes, lost and blind without God’s mercy.
We aren’t invincible. We don’t know it all. We can’t fix every problem. Hopefully, taking time to look at our fragility has reminded us that we need God and His gracious healing power. And hopefully, throughout Lent we’re taking time to repent from our pride and foolish self-reliance. And now, Spring is coming again. Easter is just around the corner. Hope and healing are on the way.
Just as the call of Lent to humility is good for our hearts, clinging to the hope of better days can also bring us healing. We can let go of some of our anxious thoughts. We can look ahead with joyful anticipation. That’s the promise of Spring, and even more, the promise of resurrection. God has good things in store that will renew our joy.
As this hope ignites, we also remember that life in this world will have troubles and sorrows. There will be global issues and personal tragedies. We will walk through more dark valleys. But our joy comes from our God who will walk with us in those hard moments just as He has through every difficult time. His promises don’t change with the seasons. His love lasts through the dark nights. Rejoicing will come again in the morning.
This Lenten season I invite you to consider praying or continuing to pray for one another and to reach out with words of encouragement and hope. Your faithfulness and perseverance have carried you through hard seasons, and I trust God will continue to meet your needs as you care for those around you. Peace be with you!
Pastor Tony
Reprinted from the March 2026 newsletter.
