We’ve all heard the phrase, “joy comes in the morning.” It’s an idea that comes from Psalm 30:5, which says, “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” This verse has offered comfort to believers for centuries, reminding us, Christians, of the hope we can cling to when facing life’s hardest trials.

That hope comes because we know the challenges and difficulties of life are temporary. We will certainly face periods of sorrow and pain—these things are part of the human experience, but at the same time, none of them are permanent. We look forward to a day when God will put an end to tears, death, sorrow, pain, and sin, restoring our bodies and spirits to wholeness through His Son, Jesus Christ.

This is the message of salvation, and it permeates the pages of Scripture. In Isaiah 61:3, the prophet speaks of God’s promise to provide “a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit.” Here, God’s redemptive work is portrayed as complete; even though we haven’t seen it accomplished yet, the promise is as good as fulfilled. God promises restoration, and we rest because He keeps His Word.

In the New Testament, James goes a step further when he encourages believers to “count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness” (James 1:2–3). This perspective on joy is deeper than “happiness”—it is rooted in an enduring confidence in God’s faithfulness. If we believe trials are meant for our good, to build our faith, then even the darkest nights we face become a little bit lighter. We find hope as we look up, to God our Savior.

Our joy is only possible because of Jesus’s resurrection—the moment when God reversed the darkness of the crucifixion in His Son’s triumph over death. This pivotal event not only validated Jesus’s claims but also secured the hope of eternal life for all who believe. Paul expressed this truth well: “And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain…if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied” (1 Corinthians 15:14–19).

Understanding what it means that “joy comes in the morning” means having a holistic view of the Bible’s narrative—it means acknowledging the reality of suffering, embracing the power of God’s redemptive work, and anticipating the ultimate victory which Jesus secured in His resurrection. The “morning” looks forward not to the dawn of a new day, but to the assurance of a future filled with the light of God’s presence. As we enter another year of ministry, we do it knowing that our hope is secure, whatever the coming months may bring.

To learn how you can be praying with us for the ministry in Haiti, visit Prayer Requests.