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). Life in Nigeria in particular and many other parts of the world has not been easy since the beginning of the year. The announcement of the new Nigerian president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his inaugural speech on the day of his swearing-in as the president that “fuel subsidy is gone” worsened the life situation in Nigeria. Petrol pump price increases astronomically. The exchange rate of US Dollars (the world most determinant currency) to Nigerian Naira is not helping matters. So, prices of goods and services keep on increasing every day. My worries grow every day as I see people languishing under the worsening economic situation of the country. 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 troubled 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 dismayed by this worsening economic situation of the country. You will survive it. It is just a “night” of hardship and uncertainty. The “morning” of a better economic situation is imminent. 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 who will experience the joy that will come in the “morning” of this worsened economic situation.