Title: From Sorrow To Joy
Memorize: Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, And the young men and the old, together; For I will turn their mourning to joy, Will comfort them, And make them rejoice rather than sorrow. Jeremiah 31:13 (Nkjv)
Bible Reading: Psalm 30:5-7 (Nkjv)
[5] For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.
[6] Now in my prosperity I said, “I shall never be moved.”
[7] Lord, by Your favor You have made my mountain stand strong; You hid Your face, and I was troubled.
Message:
One of the most challenging periods of my life was when my wife was pregnant with our fourth child. Before we became Christians, we had three children who were all delivered through Caesarean Section. We then decided not to have any more children because the doctor said that my wife could not have a normal delivery, and another surgery was not safe. When we became born again, however, we came across the Scripture: “For with God nothing will be impossible” (Luke 1:37). These words gave us the assurance that we could have another baby.
My wife got pregnant, and on the day she was expected to give birth, she was in labour for hours, and this extended to three days. On the third day, I had become really tensed. That same day, the devil whispered to me that my wife would die. Immediately, I shut down his voice. Then, I felt God’s presence around me and began to pray. Not long after, I heard the cry of a baby, and I was told that my wife had given birth. My joy knew no bounds.
My dear child, no matter the challenge you are facing in your life, studies, or family, God wants to bring joy out of that situation. If you are weeping now, I want you to rejoice because joy is around the corner. Keep confessing God’s word, and kick the devil and discouragement out of your life.
Confession:
I will not lose hope. My sorrow will turn to joy, in Jesus’ name.
HYMN 7: SWEET HOUR OF PRAYER
1 Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
that calls me from a world of care,
and bids me at my Father’s throne
make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief,
my soul has often found relief,
and oft escaped the tempter’s snare
by thy return, sweet hour of prayer!
2 Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
the joys I feel, the bliss I share
of those whose anxious spirits burn
with strong desires for thy return!
With such I hasten to the place
where God my Savior shows his face,
and gladly take my station there,
and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
3 Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
thy wings shall my petition bear
to him whose truth and faithfulness
engage the waiting soul to bless.
And since he bids me seek his face,
believe his word, and trust his grace,
I’ll cast on him my every care,
and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
Bible In One Year: Mark 9:31-50, Numbers 28-30
Authors: Pastor E. A. Adeboye and Pastor Folu Adeboye