Morning Devotional 051226 Joy Follows Sorrow

Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room

May 12, 2026

Psalm 30:1-12

¹ I exalt you, LORD, because you pulled me up; you didn’t let my enemies celebrate over me. ² LORD, my God, I cried out to you for help, and you healed me. ³ LORD, you brought me up from the grave, brought me back to life from among those going down to the pit. ⁴ You who are faithful to the LORD, sing praises to him; give thanks to his holy name! ⁵ His anger lasts for only a second, but his favor lasts a lifetime. Weeping may stay all night, but by morning, joy! ⁶ When I was comfortable, I said, “I will never stumble.” ⁷ Because it pleased you, LORD, you made me a strong mountain. But then you hid your presence. I was terrified. ⁸ I cried out to you, LORD. I begged my Lord for mercy: ⁹ “What is to be gained by my spilled blood, by my going down into the pit? Does dust thank you? Does it proclaim your faithfulness? ¹⁰ LORD, listen and have mercy on me! LORD, be my helper!” ¹¹ You changed my mourning into dancing. You took off my funeral clothes and dressed me up in joy ¹² so that my whole being might sing praises to you and never stop. LORD, my God, I will give thanks to you forever.  

Good Morning! Bless the Lord, O my soul!

Do you remember this quote? "My mamma always said, 'Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get.'" It is delivered by Tom Hanks in the 1994 film Forrest Gump, referring to the unpredictability of life, meaning you never know what experiences you will encounter. It serves as a reminder to accept the lack of control over the future while finding beauty in the unpredictable nature of daily life.

On the other hand, God has a plan for our lives. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” - Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

How can both be true? Unpredictable and planned? God has a big picture plan through which he secures our future with eternal life. Meanwhile, we have free will over daily choices and the consequences that follow. Remember that every action has an equal and opposite reaction. When you multiply the actions of millions of people, those actions and reactions intersect, creating a myriad of events that bounce around in the chaos of our lives. 

I base my life on the following truths: God unconditionally loves me. I am a sinner. Because I repent of my sins and profess Christ as my Lord and Savior, I am redeemed. When I feel lost, I look for the light of Christ. When I stumble and fall, Christ is there to lift me up. I am a child of God. God loves me! (mic drop) Amen! Amen!

¹¹ You changed my mourning into dancing. You took off my funeral clothes and dressed me up in joy ¹² so that my whole being might sing praises to you and never stop. LORD, my God, I will give thanks to you forever. 

God of Love, you bless us abundantly! When all else fails, we know that you love us and are ready to welcome us. Thank you. We love you. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.

Thought for the day: God’s plans transform tears of despair into songs of hope. 

Joy always ushers in a new day!  Pastor Liz