The Scripture says that "joy comes in the morning." But, at the midnight hour there is pain. This past Monday a member of my church died. Family and friends experiencing that midnight hour. What do you say when someone is going through that dreaded feeling? What words sooth? As a pastor, I often am confronted with such situations, and it is very humbling. I want to give the right words, with the right expressions, with the right attitude--and I seem to always come up short. I want to encourage, to pray, to comfort--but my words fall flat.
And then I am reminded by the still small Voice: "You can't but I can." Although I am called into spiritual leadership, I can't help but realize that I am one beggar telling another beggar where to find food. I am nothing special on my own. My own wisdom and intellect is disappointing. But, then there is God. He knows all, sees all, and is never limited by time or space. This all-powerful God can, even when I utterly can't. And I am glad! So, at the midnight hour, I do something that seems insane: I praise and worship the God who loves me and gave himself for me (Galatians 2:20). The morning will come--and there I will find joy.