My plan was to write a devotional this week on Philippians 4. I was looking forward to writing it on the topic of joy. The whole book of Philippians revolves around the theme of rejoicing, especially the fourth chapter. It seemed like a great way to cap off our study. I hoped it would be an uplifting experience. And then I learned about the shooting of the young children in Uvalde, Texas.

Every time I try to sit down to write about joy I want to sit down and cry instead. I can barely be in the room if the tv is on. My heart is breaking for those precious families and their unimaginable pain. I keep thinking of the image from the Old Testament of the prophets who went around with ashes on their heads wearing sackcloths in mourning. I feel just like that.

I know in my head that what the Bible says about joy is still true, but I am not feeling very joyous right now. Just as the book of Ecclesiastes talks about seasons in life, this is a time for mourning not rejoicing. We all feel a keen sense of sorrow, grief and shock. I hope I am not right about this, but it seems that our days are growing darker and darker; depravity unabated, is this the new normal? I wonder if we are reaping what we have sown as a nation by turning our backs on God and His ways? It feels like evil is having its heyday.

So here are a few things that I know are true, facts we can count on, unchangeable concepts that light our path as we seek to walk with the Lord during dark days.

Jesus was called the man of sorrows, He was acquainted with grief, Isaiah 53:3. He didn’t put on a stiff upper lip when Lazarus died, he cried. In addition, when Paul remembered how close his friend Epaphroditus had come to death, he said, “For indeed he was sick to the point of death, but God had mercy on him and not on him only, but also on me, lest I should have grief upon grief.” Philippians 2:27. Grief upon grief if his friend had died. Paul would have been devastated. Both Jesus and Paul obviously knew the reality of eternal life and heaven yet neither Paul nor Jesus minimized the loss we experience when a loved one dies. There is a season for sorrow and grief. It is totally appropriate to mourn.

God is the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, II Corinthians 1:3. One of the names for the Holy Spirit is the Comforter. Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah “will comfort all who mourn and grant those who mourn in Zion giving them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning. The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting.” Isaiah 61:2. God will comfort you if you turn to Him and intentionally open your heart asking for His comfort.

The compassionate healer Jesus said, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5. Jesus promises to walk with each one of us through life, every step of the way. And He never changes, Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. Hebrews 13:8. We can count on Him.

No leader, no political party, no organization, no institution can change human hearts. We cannot solve our problems with legislation or money. We need God to intervene. We need revival to turn hearts back to God. And the only thing I know we can do to bring revival is to repent, fast and pray for it. “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and heal their land.” II Chronicles 7:14

Finally, if we do not get a reprieve through revival and the days continue to grow darker we know how this ends. Jesus wins. Just read Revelation 19 to see what will happen. Our job in the meantime is to follow Jesus, and one of the ways to do this is to follow the instructions from Philippians 4. Stand firm in the Lord, be anxious for nothing but pray about everything with thanksgiving and let the peace of God guard your hearts and minds. We can do all things through Him who strengthens us. Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice!

Weeping may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5

O heavenly Father,
We pray to You to pour out of Your Spirit mercy and comfort to all who mourn this day. Thank you that You never change and You never leave nor forsake us. We pray for Your Spirit to move in a mighty way drawing our hearts back to Yourself. Heal our land.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen