Divine Comfort

0:00Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. Psalm 30, verse 5. Welcome to today's encouragement from our daily bread. Divine comfort was written by Nancy Gabelanes and read by Joyce Dinkins. Psalm 30, verses 1 through 12. I will exalt you, Lord, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me. Lord, my God, I called to you for help and you healed me. You, Lord, brought me up from the realm of the dead. You spared me from going down to the pit. Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people, praise his holy name for his anger less only a moment,

1:04but his favor less the lifetime. Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. When I felt secure, I said, I will never be shaken. Lord, when you favored me, you made my royal mountain stand firm. But when you hid your face, I was dismayed. To you, Lord, I called to the Lord I cried for mercy. What is gained if I am silenced if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it proclaim your faithfulness? Hear, Lord, and be merciful to me. Lord, be my help. You turned my wailing into dancing. You removed my sackcloth and closed me with joy that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent.

2:04Lord, my God, I will praise you forever. Divine comfort written by Nancy Gavilanis. The sound of the cascading water confirmed that I'd arrived at the 911 Memorial Pools in New York City. A place I'd avoided visiting for fear of being overwhelmed by sadness and grief, from what took place there that tragic day in 2001. I walked around the two large reflection pools, located where the twin towers once stood. It was deeply moving to see all the names of those who died, etched on the walls, some with roses placed on them by loved ones. I was in Manhattan on the morning of 911, but thankfully not near the World Trade Center. Still as a native New Yorker, the tragedy hit too close to home. I was finally at ground zero, yet I wasn't overcome by sorrow or fear.

3:09I felt peace as I stood there and recalled God's sustaining grace. That peace was a gift from the God who knows how to comfort us. As we read the Psalms, we see that David experienced sorrow, fear and grief as well as divine comfort. In Psalm 30, he writes, I called to you for help and you healed me. Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. God turned David's wailing into dancing and removed his sackcloth and closed him with joy. When we're feeling overwhelmed with sorrow, loss or pain, let's turn to the God of all comfort, who is close to the brokenhearted

4:10and give thanks to him as David did, declaring, Lord, my God, I will praise you forever. Let's pray, Father, like David, teach us to turn to you in the hard moments, instead of letting fear or pain overwhelm us to the point of despair. When we face difficult times, sit with us in our tears and remind us of your presence, and in time, turn our weeping into joy and praise to you. Thank you, Lord. It's in Jesus' name we pray. Amen. As you go about your day, reflect on these questions. When have you experienced God's comfort? How can you receive his comfort today?