Scripture for the week of June 23, 2019

“Hear me, LORD, and have mercy on me. Help me, O LORD.” You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever! Psalms 30:10-12 NLT

Do you carry memories of nights endured with pillow soaking tears of grief? You may have learned how to move forward, going through the motions of life, with the pain of sorrows like heavy weights on your soul. Hear the cry of this Psalmist in these verses with a renewed hope to call upon the Lord for His help and mercy in the darkness of your sorrows. Remember the promises in Isaiah 61 that He brings good news to the poor, comfort to the broken hearted and release to those held in captivity. Our God has both the power and love for us to turn our mourning into dancing for joy! Even when we don’t have the strength in ourselves, He is able to replace our old grave clothes of grief with the garments of joy and loud songs of praise! O Lord our God, we will lift our voices with shouts of joy and songs of thanksgiving for Your mercy and goodness to us forever and ever! Amen!