notesbynora

“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” — Psalm 30:5

There is something remarkable about the way birds sing after a storm. The night may have been filled with lightning, pounding rain, and fierce winds, yet when the sun rises, the birds are the first to lift their voices. Their song is not timid—it is bold, joyful, and unwavering, as if they are declaring to the world: “The storm has passed, and God has not failed us.”

Every time I hear their chorus in the early morning hours, I am reminded of God’s promise: joy comes in the morning. The storm may rage through the night, and darkness may feel overwhelming, but morning always comes. The birds seem to know this instinctively. They don’t question whether the sun will rise; they simply sing in confidence, resting in the faithfulness of their Creator.

How often do we forget this truth? When we walk through disappointment, heartbreak, or seasons of deep pain, the night feels endless. The struggle weighs heavily, the questions haunt us, and sometimes despair seems louder than hope. We may feel captive to our circumstances, unable to imagine that light will break through again. But God whispers through the dawn: “I am still here. I was with you in the storm, and I am with you now.”

The birds become our teachers. Their confidence in the rhythms of God’s creation reminds us to trust in His promises. They don’t control the weather, yet they live without fear. Likewise, we cannot control the storms of life, but we can choose how we respond. We can lift our voices in praise, even when the ground beneath us feels uncertain. We can rest in the assurance that no storm lasts forever and that God’s presence is constant before, during, and after the winds blow.

The psalmist says, “Weeping may endure for a night.” That word “endure” reminds us that sorrow has a limit. It may linger, but it is not permanent. Night does not last forever; morning is on its way. And with the morning comes joy—not necessarily the removal of all pain, but the deep assurance that God is still working, still faithful, still good.

Maybe today you are in the middle of a storm. The winds of grief, disappointment, or struggle are loud, and you can’t yet hear the morning song. Hold on. The dawn will come. The same God who paints the sky with light and wakes the birds with song is holding you close.

And when the first light breaks through your darkness, pause and listen. You may just hear the birds singing. Let their voices remind you that God’s promises are sure. He is with you in the storm, and He is the joy waiting for you on the other side.

Prayer:
Lord, thank You for the reminder in creation that storms do not last forever. Teach me to trust You like the birds who sing with confidence at dawn. Help me to rest in the promise that joy comes in the morning, and that You are with me through every season. Amen.