By: Clay Younts
"Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning." - Psalm 30:5 (ESV)
As I read this verse, I am reminded of the night Peter denied Christ three times and then we read that Peter went out and “wept bitterly” (Luke 22:62). Yes, morning arrived for Peter, but there was no “joy [that] comes with the morning.” For Peter had fallen repeatedly and terribly that night. His Master had been mocked, beaten and falsely charged and Peter denied being a follower of Christ.
We do not hear of Peter coming near the Cross, and in fact, we hear no more of him until resurrection morning. John Piper tells us, “God broke the back of Peter's pride and self-reliance that night.”
Can you relate to Peter’s dark night? Do you feel far from the Cross? Are you struggling with finding the joy that the psalmist spoke of? I know I have dark nights that can cause me to want to stray from the truth. However, I must use those opportunities to run quickly into the nail scarred hands of Christ.
Piper goes on to state that God turned Peter around and forgave him and restored him and strengthened his faith. As believers, may we turn our weeping nights into everlasting joys as God restores and strengthens our faith.
