YOUR SORROW SHALL BE TURNED INTO JOY

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

MAY 10

 

John 16:20

Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament,

but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful,

but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.

 

The sorrow of the disciples was occasioned by the sufferings and 

  death of their beloved Lord, and

  their sorrow was turned into joy when he arose from the dead, and 

  manifested unto them his love. 

The sorrow of the Christian must be transient

 

It is like the passing cloud on the summer’s day, or the chill of winter which must give place to the genial warmth of spring.

 

Beloved, if you now sorrow, 

  your sorrow also shall soon be turned into joy; 

    for joy is sown for the righteous, and 

        gladness for the upright in heart.

 

Heaviness may endure for the night, but joy cometh in the morning.

 

Thy risen Saviour will appear to thee, and pronounce the words of peace.

 

Thy God who may now hide himself from thee, 

   will appear to thy joy, and 

       thou shalt not be ashamed.

 

The sin that causes thy sorrow shall be pardoned and subdued.

 

The foes that disturb thy peace shall be converted or destroyed. 

The distance between thee and thy home will soon be passed; 

  the days of thy mourning will be ended, and

  thou who now goest forth weeping, 

    bearing precious seed, 

      shall soon return with songs of everlasting joy.

 

O Jesu’s plighted love,

In every state rely; 

Thy very hidings of his face

Shall train thee up for joy.

 

James Smith