Shedding Your Sackcloth

As we experience life, at times we’ll all know the feeling that God is “hiding His face,” as King David describes in Psalm 30:7.

Perhaps this will be sparked by the betrayal of a spouse… or bad news from a doctor… or when our entire world seems to come crashing down around us like an avalanche.

Even when it seems like God is hiding His face, you need to recognize that He’s working His grace to complete a beautiful work in you. Your circumstances will surely change in time, but God wants to change you even more.

The Potter’s Nail-Pierced Hands

Over 17 years of walking with Jesus, I’ve learned that God hasn’t wasted a single hurt, disappointment, or tragedy. With His nail-pierced hands, Jesus the Potter reaches into the messy clay of our lives and patiently sculpts each of us into a masterpiece.

What looks impossible to human eyes looks like an opportunity for Jesus to do the HIM-possible and reveal His greatness to us. I know this to be true. The Potter is lovingly, sovereignly, and meticulously working to transform us into something beautiful.

Nothing is more beautiful than God transforming us into the image of Jesus, as the Apostle Paul tells the Romans:

We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers (Romans 8:28-29, ESV).

Even when you feel like you can’t go another step, or another day, under the crushing weight of your circumstances, you can cry out by faith, “Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me! O Lord, be my helper!” (Psalm 30:10, ESV)

God hears you, and He’s near to you. He’s fighting for you. He will never abandon you.

One day, though I’m not sure when, you and I will say to Jesus:

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever! (Psalm 30:11–12, ESV)

Whatever trial you are facing today, hold on. Remember God’s faithfulness and trust in His goodness.

He hears the cries of His people.

He hurts when His people hurt.

He even bottles every tear His people have shed.

Trust Him! He will remove your sackcloth and turn your mourning into dancing.