Psalm 30 is called, “A song for the dedication of the Temple”, but the words could accurately describe the song of my salvation. Remember the background, King David sat in his fine palace and noted that God’s dwelling place was a mobile tent that was designed by Moses according to God’s very specific directions during the exodus from Egypt. The nation was on the move and the tent or Tabernacle was broken down and carried with the people. King David wanted to build a permanent home in Jerusalem. God would not allow David to build the Temple because he was a man of war that had “shed much blood on the earth” (1 Chronicles 22:8). The job of constructing and dedicating the Temple fell to Solomon, his son. David did, however, stockpile the resources and finances to ensure the magnificence of the house of God. Apparently he also wrote this song. The psalm begins, “I will exalt You, O Lord, for You lifted me out of the depths“. My personal salvation experience was not dramatic to anyone else. It did not take place in jail, or in an ambulance or even at an evangelical meeting. I was alone in my comfortable apartment re-listening to a cassette tape of a Bible study, reciting the sinner’s prayer along with my Pastor’s voice. This was the most profound moment in the world to me. God found me alone and God changed my life, my heart and my spirit in an instant. Perhaps these words of hope will speak to you right where you are today.
David continues, “I called to You for help and You healed me“. There are many kinds of healing. God does heal the body, but for many of us the greater need is spiritual healing. He continues, “You brought me up from the grave… spared me from going down into the pit“. Sin separates us from God, but God did not leave us alone in our sin. David explains the nature of God and gives us reason for hope, “His anger lasts only a moment, but His favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning“. Are you in a night of weeping? David describes the other side daybreak, “I will never be shaken… You made my mountain stand firm“. Here is David’s simple step of faith, “To you, O Lord, I called; to the Lord I cried for mercy… be merciful to me… be my help“. On the afternoon of my spiritual rebirth, I did not trust any human and I believed I was completely unloved. I heard of this demonstration of love. “Christ Jesus, who died more than that, who was raised to life is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” (Romans 8:34). God alone is trustworthy.
David concludes his song of dedication with his new perspective from the new day. “You turned my wailing into dancing… and clothed me with joy“. David cannot contain his joy, “my heart may sing to You and not be silent… I will give You thanks forever“. Where is the Temple now? According to Ephesians 2:20-22, we are God’s Temple. “Built on the foundation… with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In Him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in Him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit“. Are you ready for a new day? There is no permit required and you have to do is ask God for His forgiveness. No matter what circumstances you are dealing with, morning is coming! You are not alone.