by Tasha Calvert

I’m a bit of an anomaly in my family. I’m a morning person. In fact, I sometimes miss significant times of late-night fellowship or family shenanigans because I just can’t stay awake. Often the next morning I will string together the clues of what took place the night before as I make my way to the coffee maker in our dimly lit, pre-dawn house. You see, I’m my best self at 5:00 AM. I’m hopeful and serene; firing on all cylinders. You’ll have to trust me on this because nobody else is awake to vouch for me. Well, except for…

Jesus. Jesus meets me most every morning in my favorite over-stuffed, upholstered chair by the fireplace. In my CSB Study Bible, the heading of Psalm 30 is “Joy in the Morning” and, when I hear the words “joy in the morning”, I honestly picture myself curled up in a blanket with my Bible and a cup of coffee in that chair; Jesus and me.

King David is thought to have written Psalm 30 to sing at the dedication of his palace. (though some really smart people think it could have been foreshadowing the dedication of the temple, which his son Solomon later built) This Psalm is a beautiful recap of so many themes that take place throughout David’s life; themes I find describe my life, too.

“Lord, my God, I cried to you for help, and you healed me. Lord, you brought me up from Sheol; you spared me from among those going down to the Pit.” (vs. 2-3) As I picture that chair in my living room and read these words from scripture, I’m reminded of times I’ve cried literal tears to the Lord. Overwhelming gratitude wells inside me knowing God has saved me from the hollowness of death and given me the assurance of eternal life. And though I have certainly been in a “pit” or two (maybe three or four?) in my life, that is not where I will land. God has, and will continue, to restore me and make me “surefooted as a deer, enabling me to stand on mountain heights” Psalm 18:33.

This Psalm also cautions me. “When I was secure I said, ‘I will never be shaken’. Lord, when you showed your favor; you made me stand like a strong mountain; when you hid your face, I was terrified. Lord, I called to you…” (vs. 6-7) David understood the vulnerability we all face in times of favor. How quickly we lose sight of our dependence on God when we are sure-footed. When I lose my connectedness to Him things go south very quickly. Lord, I echo this prayer. Please do not hide your face from me.

If history is any indicator, my life will continue to be marked by times of need, crisis, despair and peace, humility, and hope. And through all the ups and downs, I will rest in the truth of vs. 5 “For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor, a lifetime. Weeping may stay overnight, but there is joy in the morning”.

Tasha Calvert is an author, speaker and Bible teacher. She currently serves as the Global Director of Women’s Ministry at Prestonwood, in Dallas, Texas. She is married to Robert and has four daughters and a son-in-law. Connect with her at www.tashacalvert.com