Scripture

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

Quote

God is present even when we doubt it or cannot perceive it: the reality of His presence is not altered by our unawareness.

~Gerald H. Wilson {NIV Commentary}

Scholars like to use big or strange words. Whoever heard of vagaries. Let me tell you what it means: it is the unexpected and inexplicable change in a situation or in someone’s behavior. It is akin to the word vissitudes which is a change of circumstances or fortune, typically one that is unwelcome or unplesant. C.S. Lewis uses yet another word: undulations which is the action of moving up and down like a wave. We have all lived long enough that we never know what to expect; something inexplicable and unexpected can change the entire landscape in a heartbeat. Sometimes I go to bed praying for no more bad news.

I think it will be three years this January; June and I were making a routine visit, all was well or so we thought, then I got a phone call from my baby sister, my oldest sister had been killed in an automobile accident. It was unreal, I thought, “This cannot be.” I was stunned. Not that I doubt my sister, but when she hung up, I called my brother who confirmed her story. In less than twenty minutes everything changed. I don’t remember what was only my daily agenda that day but it got wiped clean in a hurry. Folks it does not take long: one phone call, one accident, one stroke, one heart attack or one doctors visit and instantly everything changes and takes on a new light.

Psalm 30:5 speaks to the vagaries of like, these sudden unexpected changes they leave us grief stricken. They are followed by sorrow and weeping that endures for the night {lifetime}, but this is not our final state. The JEV would read: Sorrow many spend the night but JOY is coming in the morning. Grief is an uninvited intruder; it just barges in and then refuses to go home but Joy is on the way and grief will vanish like darkness before light. For the record: Jesus is Joy and He is coming.

Extra

I love the study in Philippians, you back slidders who lay out of church on Wednesday night are missing a blessing. You have a chance to get to know Paul better if you will attend. No one should ever have to beg a true believer to attend worship, right! We had another good showing among our adults last night.

I hope you have a great day today and thanks for reading the blog which is late because I forgot to post. SAT. {sorry about that} Couldn’t get the right media to load: no, I know it is not Christmas, yet!