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While reading a devotional this morning, the author mentioned the words, “as morning broke.” I wondered why we say this. “Daybreak” is another word we use. There’s even a song, Morning Has Broken. But why? What gets broken? As I pondered it, I said to myself, “Well, duh! It’s the darkness that gets broken.”

But it doesn’t break all at once. It comes gradually, as the sun approaches the horizon. The light increases as the sun rises, and when it has fully risen, all the darkness is gone.

A while back, I was in a very dark place in my mind. I felt helpless and could see no hope to help me get back to the light. I tried not to show it. When I was around people, I tried really hard to act normal. And I probably fooled most people. But a couple of people who are very close to me could tell I wasn’t myself. They reached out to me, but I wasn’t having it. Nope. I held it all in except when I was at home alone. Then it came out, ugly and painful.

However, our God is so very gracious! He knew how much I was hurting, and He gradually showed me the way back to the light. I have a habit of reading the Bible each morning and night, and I also use a couple of devotional books. Even in my darkness, I continued that habit, not because I wanted to, but just because it was a habit. And this particular habit saved me. I read these words in the Psalms.

Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.
Psalm 30:5b (ESV)

Psalm 80 contains the word “shine” four times in 19 verses. One time it says, “Shine forth.” Three times it says, “Cause Your face to shine.” The Psalmist is pleading for God’s light!

Every day, God shows us how our lives will have peaks and valleys, days of darkness, and days of light. He causes the sun to rise and set on schedule. Even when the sun sets and it’s dark, we know that the sun is always on the other side of the earth and will rise again in God’s perfect timing.

So if you are in a dark place right now, be encouraged! The sun will shine again, and His joy will be yours when morning comes.

Lord God, thank You for this wonderful reminder of Your light in our lives breaking through our darkness. We are all in need of You guiding us and filling us with joy. Shine on us today! Amen