By Jim Daniels
Psalm 30 (NIV):
11 You turned my wailing into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
12 that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent.
Lord my God, I will praise you forever.
To me, Psalm 30 is a song sung outside of time. As I read it, I am transported both backward and forward. I look backward and hear the psalmist speaking to me in the midst of my trials, my moments amidst enemies, and my careening toward the pit. I remember those times when I cried out for help and thought it may never come.
This passage also speaks to me in the moment. It creates within me a sense of hope that my weeping will come to an end and that rejoicing is before me. In this same way, it sends me into the future. I am reminded of those times when I was almost destroyed, but God made my mountain stand firm. And, in this remembering, I am propelled into a hopeful future.
During this season of Lent, when the darkness is gathering, I can often find myself drawing the curtains and wallowing in self-pity or focusing on brokenness. And so, this psalm at this time is perfect because it buoys me up above the waves to see a horizon where my wailing will be dancing, where I will be clothed with joy, where I will sing and not be silent, where I will give thanks forever—even now, in the midst of the diminishing light.
Prayer: God outside of time, remind me of your continual presence. Clothe me with joy, and fill my heart with gratitude. Amen.