Psalm 30:11–12

In David’s Psalms we meet him as he was surrounded by enemies, cheated by his friends and family, staring death in the face and feeling so ill he longed to die. But it was David’s experience that these glum times did not have the final word. God was able to transform his mourning into joyful dancing. This particularly reminds of the time when the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem. David was happy to have established Jerusalem as his home but it wasn’t complete until the presence of God represented by the Ark was brought to the city. When it arrived he indulged in such wild dancing that he was accused of behaving shamelessly, but David wasn’t remotely bothered (2 Samuel 6:14–22). This was a special moment and it needed to be celebrated.

When times are hard and everything seems to be going wrong, it is very easy to believe that our circumstances will never change. But they can. God is able to transform our disasters and pain as we commit them into his hands. The Bible introduces us to a succession of people who experienced startling changes in their lives. We have only to think of people like Joseph who was so hated by his brothers. They fully intended to kill him but when they met some passing traders they sold him as a slave to earn some money. But, in a complete turnaround, Joseph ended up being appointed by Pharaoh as governor of Egypt. His conclusion was that although his brothers intended to harm him “God intended it all for good” (Genesis 50:20).

Whatever you are facing at the moment remember that we serve a God of transformation who, time and again, is able to turn our mourning into dancing.

Question
In what specific ways are you looking to God for transformation today?

Prayer
Lord God, I thank you for the way in which you have blessed my life. I commit myself into your hands and pray that I may continually experience the transforming power of your Spirit.

Released on 20 Mar 2024