JOY COMETH IN THE MORNING

Dearly Beloved, JOY COMETH IN THE MORNING “For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5 NKJV). When the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic first started and as it spread from one country to the other, I was worried for the havoc it would cause especially in the underdeveloped and developing world because of the standard of living in those parts of the world. My worries grew as news of the death of hundreds of people is reported every day. I have counselled and preached to people not to worry, but a Yoruba hymn ministered to me one night. The lyrics of the hymn in Yoruba (inter alia) are: “Gbori re soke alare, tori ayo n bo lowuro. Olorun so n'nu oro Re pe ayo ma n bo lowuro. Ayo ma n bo lowuro, ekun le pe titi dale sugbon ayo n bo lowuro.” [Its English lyrics: “Oh, weary pilgrim, lift your head: For joy cometh in the morning! For God in His own Word hath said that joy cometh in the morning! Joy cometh in the morning! Joy cometh in the morning! Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning!”] Mary M. Weinland (1818-1899) composed this hymn. Little is known about this lady, but it is evident that she based the hymn on Psalm 30:5 possibly when she or some people around her were passing through a trying time. In the hymn, she referred to the trouble person (or persons) as “weary pilgrim”, “trembling saints”, “weeping mourner”, “every burdened soul”, and “every trembling sinner”. She reminded this person (or these people) that God has said in His Word, “…weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5 NKJV). So, this person (or these people) should cheer up for the trying time is momentary. What a great assurance! Apostle Paul explained this futuristically, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NKJV). Yes, joy will come in the morning! Do not be dismay with this raging COVID-19 pandemic. The world will survive it. It is just a “night” of confusion, uncertainty, lock down, stay at home, social (or physical) distancing, sickness, and even death of some people. The “morning” of victory is imminent. There will be solution to this pandemic. Most of those that have contacted the virus will get well. The world will come back to its normalcy. People will soon be able to socialize with others and go about their normal businesses. You will outlive this trying period. Joy will indeed come in the morning! In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that you will be one of the people that will experience the joy that will come in “morning” of this trying “night” of COVID-19 pandemic.