Finding Joy in Sorrow: God's Comfort Amid Trials

 

Summary

In the midst of life's trials and tribulations, we are reminded of the profound truth that God is both the source of our sorrows and the wellspring of our joys. Reflecting on Psalm 90, we see Moses, a man deeply acquainted with grief, who yet turns to God in prayer, seeking gladness proportionate to the afflictions endured. This psalm, steeped in the sorrows of a generation that perished in the wilderness, speaks to us today as we face our own losses and challenges. The recent passing of two esteemed deacons in our church has left us with a double measure of grief, yet it is in these moments of sorrow that we are called to draw nearer to God, seeking His comfort and strength.

The psalmist's prayer is for a gladness that matches the depth of our sadness, a divine joy that only God can provide. This is not a superficial happiness but a profound gladness rooted in the assurance of God's presence and His work in our lives. As we endure trials, we are reminded that sorrow often precedes joy, and that our afflictions are preparing us for greater blessings. Just as the darkness of night gives way to the light of day, so too do our sorrows pave the way for divine joy.

Moreover, the psalmist's prayer extends beyond personal comfort to encompass the work of God in our midst. We long to see God's work revived and His glory revealed to our children. The beauty of the Lord, His holiness and presence, is what transforms our mourning into joy. As we labor for the kingdom, we pray that our efforts will be established and bear lasting fruit, bringing comfort and hope to our hearts.

In this season of loss, let us take comfort in the promise that God will make us glad according to the days of our affliction. Let us pray for His work to be evident among us, for His glory to shine upon our children, and for His beauty to adorn our lives. As we labor together for His kingdom, may our work be established, bringing joy and comfort to our souls.

Key Takeaways:

- Divine Source of Joy and Sorrow: Our sorrows and joys both originate from God, and in our afflictions, we are called to seek His comfort and strength. This divine balance reminds us that God is sovereign over all aspects of our lives, and His presence is our ultimate source of gladness. [08:53]

- Proportionate Gladness: The prayer for gladness proportionate to our afflictions is a profound reminder that God balances our lives with both trials and blessings. Just as nature maintains equilibrium, so does God ensure that our sorrows are matched by His consolations. [11:52]

- Sorrow as a Prelude to Joy: Sorrow often precedes joy, preparing us for greater blessings. Our trials are not in vain; they are the groundwork for future triumphs and deeper communion with God. This perspective transforms our view of suffering, seeing it as a necessary step toward divine joy. [20:02]

- The Beauty of Holiness: The beauty of the Lord, His holiness and presence, transforms our mourning into joy. When we experience God's presence, we are adorned with His beauty, which shines through us and attracts others to Christ. This divine beauty is our strength and comfort in times of trouble. [38:24]

- Establishing Our Work: Our work for God's kingdom is both His work and ours. As we labor for His glory, we pray for our efforts to be established and bear lasting fruit. This partnership with God in His work brings profound comfort and joy, knowing that our labor is not in vain. [40:39]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:09] - Introduction to Psalm 90
- [00:39] - Moses: A Man of Sorrows
- [01:26] - Double Loss in the Church
- [03:21] - Prayer for Divine Comfort
- [05:00] - Closer to God in Troubled Times
- [06:24] - Joyful Expectancy Amid Trials
- [08:53] - Divine Source of Gladness
- [11:52] - Proportionate Gladness
- [14:23] - God's Wisdom in Our Trials
- [20:02] - Sorrow as Prelude to Joy
- [24:13] - Joy Wrapped in Sorrow
- [29:08] - Peculiar Gladness Desired
- [36:57] - Prayer for Our Children
- [40:39] - Establishing Our Work

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Psalm 90:15-17

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#### Observation Questions
1. What does Psalm 90:15-17 reveal about the relationship between affliction and gladness? How does the psalmist express this balance? [00:22]
2. How does the sermon describe Moses' experience with grief and loss, and how does it relate to the message of Psalm 90? [00:39]
3. What specific events in the church community are mentioned in the sermon that highlight the theme of sorrow and joy? [01:26]
4. According to the sermon, what role does prayer play in the life of a believer facing trials? [05:29]

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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of "proportionate gladness" in Psalm 90:15-17 challenge or affirm one's understanding of God's justice and mercy? [11:52]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that sorrow can be a prelude to joy, and how might this perspective change one's view of suffering? [20:02]
3. How does the sermon describe the beauty of the Lord and its transformative power in the lives of believers? What implications does this have for personal holiness? [38:24]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the partnership between God and believers in establishing their work? How does this partnership bring comfort and joy? [40:39]

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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent trial or sorrow in your life. How can you seek God's comfort and strength in this situation, as suggested in the sermon? [05:00]
2. The sermon speaks of a "proportionate gladness" that matches our afflictions. How can you cultivate a mindset that looks for God's blessings even in difficult times? [11:52]
3. Consider a time when sorrow preceded joy in your life. How did that experience prepare you for greater blessings, and how can you apply this understanding to current challenges? [20:02]
4. The sermon emphasizes the beauty of holiness. What practical steps can you take to reflect God's beauty in your daily interactions and relationships? [38:24]
5. How can you actively participate in God's work in your community, ensuring that your efforts are established and bear lasting fruit? [40:39]
6. The sermon mentions the importance of seeing God's glory revealed to our children. How can you intentionally share your faith and God's work with the younger generation in your life? [36:57]
7. Reflect on the idea of sorrow containing a joy within it. How can you find and embrace the "pearl" within your current struggles? [24:13]

Devotional

Day 1: Divine Balance of Joy and Sorrow
In the tapestry of life, both joy and sorrow are threads woven by God. This divine balance is a reminder of His sovereignty over every aspect of our existence. In times of affliction, we are called to seek His comfort and strength, recognizing that He is the ultimate source of gladness. Our sorrows and joys are not random occurrences but are orchestrated by God to draw us closer to Him. This understanding encourages us to trust in His plan, knowing that He is present in both our trials and triumphs. [08:53]

Psalm 30:5 (ESV): "For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning."

Reflection: In what ways can you seek God's presence and comfort in your current sorrows, trusting that He is the source of both your trials and your joys?


Day 2: Proportionate Gladness
The prayer for gladness proportionate to our afflictions is a profound reminder that God balances our lives with both trials and blessings. Just as nature maintains equilibrium, so does God ensure that our sorrows are matched by His consolations. This divine balance is not about equal measures of happiness and sadness but about the assurance that God is with us in every season. It is a call to trust in His wisdom and timing, knowing that He will provide the joy we need to endure our trials. [11:52]

2 Corinthians 4:17 (ESV): "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison."

Reflection: How can you cultivate a mindset of trust in God's timing, believing that He will provide joy proportionate to your current afflictions?


Day 3: Sorrow as a Prelude to Joy
Sorrow often precedes joy, preparing us for greater blessings. Our trials are not in vain; they are the groundwork for future triumphs and deeper communion with God. This perspective transforms our view of suffering, seeing it as a necessary step toward divine joy. By embracing this truth, we can find hope in the midst of our struggles, knowing that God is using them to shape us and prepare us for the joy that is to come. [20:02]

James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

Reflection: What current trial can you view as a preparation for future joy, and how can you embrace this process with faith and hope?


Day 4: The Beauty of Holiness
The beauty of the Lord, His holiness and presence, transforms our mourning into joy. When we experience God's presence, we are adorned with His beauty, which shines through us and attracts others to Christ. This divine beauty is our strength and comfort in times of trouble. It is a reminder that God's holiness is not distant or unattainable but is a source of joy and transformation in our lives. [38:24]

Psalm 29:2 (ESV): "Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness."

Reflection: How can you seek to experience and reflect the beauty of God's holiness in your daily life, especially in times of mourning or difficulty?


Day 5: Establishing Our Work
Our work for God's kingdom is both His work and ours. As we labor for His glory, we pray for our efforts to be established and bear lasting fruit. This partnership with God in His work brings profound comfort and joy, knowing that our labor is not in vain. It is a call to invest in what is eternal, trusting that God will use our efforts to bring about His purposes and reveal His glory. [40:39]

1 Corinthians 15:58 (ESV): "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."

Reflection: What specific work or ministry can you commit to today, trusting that God will establish it and use it for His glory?

Quotes



The psalmist's prayer is for a gladness that matches the depth of our sadness, a divine joy that only God can provide. This is not a superficial happiness but a profound gladness rooted in the assurance of God's presence and His work in our lives. As we endure trials, we are reminded that sorrow often precedes joy, and that our afflictions are preparing us for greater blessings. [00:08:53]

Our prayer this morning as a church and people should be for proportionate gladness, that our God who has filled one scale with grief would fill the other scale with grace, till they balance each other in as much as he is poured out of his vile certain drops of wormwood, we pray him to measure out the like quantity of the consolation of love, whereby our heart shall be comforted. [00:14:23]

Sorrow often prepares for joy. It might not be safe, dear brother, that you should enjoy worldly prosperity at the outset of life. Your adversities in business are meant to teach you the worthlessness of earthly things so that when you have them you may not be tempted to make idols of them. [00:20:02]

The beauty of the Lord, His holiness and presence, transforms our mourning into joy. When we experience God's presence, we are adorned with His beauty, which shines through us and attracts others to Christ. This divine beauty is our strength and comfort in times of trouble. [00:38:24]

The prayer is full of buoyant hope for it does not merely say comfort us, bear us up, keep our heads above water, prevent us from sinking in despair, no but make us glad, reverse our state, lift us up from the depths to the heights, make us glad. I hear the music of hope drowning the discord of fear, the songs of a joyous faith rising above the mournful dirges of grief. [00:09:52]

The more of grief we feel the more of grace we need, and the nearer to our comforter we come, closer to God is the cry of the troubled saint, nearer my God to thee nearer to thee, even though it be a cross that raiseth me, still all my cry shall be nearer my God to thee, nearer to thee. [00:05:00]

The psalmist wishes for a four-fold gladness, the first is gladness at the sight of God's work. Notice thy work, there is always something cheering in God's work. Have you never felt it so? I think you must have done so. When Mungo Park was cheered by that little bit of moss which he picked up in the wilderness, he was but comforted as many of us have been. [00:29:08]

The great comfort which this church wants now is to see God's work in the midst of her revived and glorified. If the Lord will but come among us and save men, if he will build up and edify his people and give them help to accomplish their holy service this will be our richest possible comfort. [00:36:57]

The prayer is good as cries Lord no one but thyself can make us glad under such affliction, but thou can spring us up from the lowest deep, the wound goes too near the heart for any human physician to heal us, but thou canst heal us even to the making of us glad. [00:11:52]

The Lord by the divine spirit makes the words of our text to be our prayer this morning, may the Lord Jesus present our supplication to the Father, the petition seems to me to be first for proportionate gladness, make us glad according to the days wherein thou has deflected us, and the years wherein we have seen evil. [00:08:53]

The beauty of the Lord must surely mean his presence with us, as the sun beautifies all things so does God's presence. When we know that Jesus is with us, when we feel that he is our helper, when we bask in his love, when he abides with us in power, this is the beauty of the saints. [00:38:24]

The text prays for our work that it may succeed, establish thou the work of our hands, oh if God will but prosper us in our work for him how happy we shall be. One day this week I had a great lift up out of deep distress, when I was informed that a captain was here last Sunday morning and was so impressed that he found the savior. [00:40:39]

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Transcript
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