Back in the 70’s we used to sing a song, Thou Hast Turned My Mourning into Dancing for Thee. Recently Holy Spirit reminded me of this song. I was surprised that it was actually scripture.

“Thou hast turned my mourning into dancing: thou hast took off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.” Psalm 30:11,12 (KJV).

“You have turned my mourning into dancing for me; You have put off my sack cloth and girded me with gladness, to the end that my tongue and my heart and everything glorious within me may sing praise unto You, and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto You for ever.” Psalm 30:11,12 (The Amplified Bible).

The song was as follows: “Thou has turned my mourning into dancing for me. Thou has put of my sackcloth. Thou has turned my morning into dancing for me and girded me with gladness; to the end my glory may sing praise unto thee and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will sing praises unto Thee forever.”

Sackcloth and ashes were used when grieving and/or fasting and praying. the song says that God took off the sackcloth and clothed/strengthened King David with gladness/joy, and as a result King David said he would sing thanks/praises forever.

I have been doing a word study on Joy which lead me to the scripture passage above: Psalm 42; 43; 51:10-12; 66; 96; 107; 119:105-112.

Has mourning become your way of life instead of Jesus? Do you wear your wounds and sorrow as medals of honor that you wear proudly instead of salvation, healing and deliverance? Has sorrow and suffering become a “better friend” than Jesus? Have you allowed the Lord to remove your sorrow? Will you allow the Lord to remove your sorrow?

The world knows only sorrow and defeat. It knows only about being victims and victimizing, but we, as children of God, are victors and overcomers. Why would the world want more of what they already have?

Jesus came to save us from sin and reconcile us to our heavenly Father to restore us to the place we had in the Garden of Eden. We can’t give what we do not have.

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, so that sinners will turn back to You.” Psalm 51:9-13 (NIV).