Morning: The Secret To Mercy & Joy

MORNING:  THE SECRET TO MERCY & JOY

By: Julie Souza Bradley Lilly

“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.” – Psalm 30: 5 NIV

‬ “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” – Lamentations‬ ‭3:22-23‬ ‭ESV‬‬

These are two of my favorite scripture passages, because I love the hope they promise.  This morning I was contemplating God’s endless bounty of mercy and joy, and I asked the Lord, “Why do joy and mercy not come as soon as I need them?  Why do You wait until morning to send them?”

He responded, “Morning is the secret to mercy and joy.”

So, I grabbed my concordance. The word “morning” in both cases has the same root meaning—the coming of dawn, first light, and it relates to the word “kneel.”  It was a lightbulb moment.  It is not saying that we have to wait until tomorrow’s sunrise for fresh joy and mercy.  It is saying that when the truth about our condition finally DAWNS on us, and that first light of revelation illuminates our sin, THAT is morning.  And when we respond to morning by kneeling in repentance, mercy and joy rush in to greet us.

It isn’t the time of day that ushers them in.  It is repentance in response to revelation that holds the key and unlocks the door.

Morning and it’s companions, mercy and joy, can come at any time, beloved.  Are you lacking joy?  Do you need mercy?  Why not ask Him to illuminate your heart, and respond to any darkness found there with repentance?

Merciful Father, thank You that we don’t have to wait until tomorrow to receive mercy and joy.  Even now they eagerly wait for us to recognize our sin and respond with repentance.  Lord, shine Your light on our hearts.  And may the ensuing dawn find us on our knees, with our backs to the darkness.  In Jesus’ Name❤️

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