Covenant TGIF Message from Ron
Note that in the Covenant update I mailed out this past Monday, I forgot to mention who will be providing our sermon this Sunday. That will be Don Mauldin, so please come and join us this Sunday if you can.
TGIF
Psalm 30:5 – For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.
This single verse of scripture is one of the most powerful and beautiful in all of scripture. It comes from one of the Psalms of David upon which he reflects on his life. It occurs during a difficuIt time in his life, I suggest reading the entire Psalm as it mirrors our life experiences and interactions with God as well. We see this same message in other parts of God’s Word.
Isaiah 54:7-8 – “For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with deep compassion I will bring you back. 8 In a surge of anger I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you,” says the Lord your Redeemer.
This rebuke was of Israel for their transgressions and unbelief during their wandering in the desert. But even through their time of rejection, He provided comfort through His everlasting kindness and compassion, He never left their side.
These next 3 verses represent the time after Jesus’ crucifixion and preparation to ascend to be with the Father in heaven. Although He would soon be gone in body, the Holy Spirit would come to sustain the people. However, His followers could not understand what He was telling them as He prepared them for this time.
John 16:20-22 – Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. 21 A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. 22 So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.
The scripture below is written by Paul. Even though he endured constant unbearable sufferings and persecutions during his missionary life after his conversion, he viewed them as weightless and lasting for only a brief moment in comparison to the future glory he would experience when he went home to be with the Lord.
2 Corinthians 4:17 – For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
Paul further concludes:
Romans 8:18 – I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
May we remember that God is always there with us. Just as a parent may get angry with a child, the anger is short lived when contrasted with the continuing love and joy that defines that relationship. So it is with how God loves us, now and throughout all of eternity.