A weary world…rejoices

Sometimes a good day starts with a simple choice before you even get out of bed that it’s going to be a good day no matter what happens. 

This past week has been one in which sin and its impact on the world has been making itself very clear.  From personal issues all the way up to a global level I think it’s safe to say we’ve all experienced some degree of brokenness, grief, destruction, pain, sickness, or the like. And it’s safe to say that because this past week is not unlike any week before that all the way down through human history to our very first ancestors Adam and Eve.  In a moment, they stepped outside of God’s great plan and protection for them, and the weariness of sin has been a companion ever since.

Now, before I go on, I must say that I’m pretty much a “traditionalist” when it comes to waiting until after Thanksgiving for Christmas music, decorations, etc. However, having also been in choirs most of my life I’ve always gotten to cheat a little.  Last night, as I was in a rehearsal preparing for a Christmas Vespers concert in a couple weeks from now, this phrase struck me in a way it never had before:

“The weary world rejoices”

It struck me first in its description of the world and how accurate it feels right now, at least from my perspective… Weary. But what that weary world does is what’s so facinating, it rejoices!  The context of the original lyrics tells us why:

“A thrill of hope

The weary world rejoices

For yonder breaks

A new and glorious morn”

In other words, our weary world, our weary communities, our weary churches, homes, and hearts can rejoice because this is not the end. Because of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, we can hope in a new day that is coming, a day with no more pain, war, sickness, disease, abuse, or shame.

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth … And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” (‭‭Revelation‬ ‭21:1-5‬ ESV)‬‬

A new weary-free world is coning! But for now we live in the paradox.  The things around us are often overwhelming. But we have a choice, and often that choice is made before we even get out of bed each day.  Things are going to happen today that will likely make me weary.  Is the weariness going to overcome me and make me go through today wishing I’d never gotten out of bed? Or am I going to take God at His Word that not only is there hope in a day coming where the whole world will be made new, but that He’s already working on it and because today is a day He has made, my weary heart can find reason to rejoice?  I don’t often get this right, but today I’ve made my choice:

This IS the day the Lord has made, let us (even when we’re weary) rejoice and be glad in it! (Psalm 118:24)