Dear Friends, 

Somewhere between “cloud nine” and the “bottomless pit” is the experience we call life.  Most of us believe that if we are fortunate enough – perhaps even “blessed” – we’ll spend more time on the cloud than in the pit; but all of us know that at least some time in the pit is inevitable, even when we’ve done all the right things, followed all the rules, and live a life that merits a blessing or two.  When we’re living life on the cloud, God seems worthy of all our praise and commitment.  But what about the pit?  When things do not go our way, when we find ourselves in the midst of suffering, disappointment, despair or betrayal – what then?
 

In Psalm 30,  the Psalmist has endured a long, hard season in the Pit, after having lived a life of great prosperity and comfort.  Now rescued and secure, he praises God for turning his mourning into dancing, his night into day.  He has discovered a new, deeper understanding of the presence of God – a presence not only in the clouds, but also in the depths of the pit.  He pledges a new commitment to God – to praise God all the days of his life, in both the good and the bad experiences – knowing now that faith and praise and commitment cannot be circumstantial, but constant, unwavering, unfettered.  This leads to a life of joy – our true freedom in Christ – by which we dance in all times, in all places, on every cloud and in every pit, proclaiming the love and goodness and presence of God, which never fails us.