Psalm 30 (NRSV)
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Verse 1I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up, and did not let my foes rejoice over me.
Verse 2O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me.
Verse 3O Lord, you brought up my soul from Sheol, restored me to life from among those gone down to the Pit.
Verse 4Sing praises to the Lord, O you his faithful ones, and give thanks to his holy name.
Verse 5For his anger is but for a moment; his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning.
Verse 6As for me, I said in my prosperity, "I shall never be moved."
Verse 7By your favor, O Lord, you had established me as a strong mountain; you hid your face; I was dismayed.
Verse 8To you, O Lord, I cried, and to the Lord I made supplication:
Verse 9"What profit is there in my death, if I go down to the Pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it tell of your faithfulness?
Verse 10Hear, O Lord, and be gracious to me! O Lord, be my helper!"
Verse 11You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
Verse 12so that my soul may praise you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever.
Devotion
What a difference a day makes! I think of Peter, feeling so much guilt and shame after he denied knowing Jesus three times. He must have felt rotten on that Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. “Weeping may indeed spend the night.”
But then came Sunday – Easter – with the angelic message to the women, “Go and tell his disciples, and Peter, that He will meet you in Galilee.” The women are to make sure they tell Peter because it is Peter who really needs that message of forgiveness, acceptance, and affirmation. For Peter, “Joy indeed came in the morning” – Easter morning. Peter discovered that his God is a God of second chances.
Prayer
Thank you, risen Lord, for all the second chances you give to each of us. Help us keep our eyes on Easter, that day which gives meaning and purpose to all other days. Amen.