December 31, 2023

Even in Joy, Sorrow

Clint Estes – Proverbs 14:13

Sermon Quotes

Proverbs 14:13
[13] Even in laughter the heart may ache,
and the end of joy may be grief.

“Sorrow forms the unchanging background of the occasional, distracting moments of merriment. Life begins with a baby’s cry of discomfort and dissatisfaction; it ends in a dying gasp and grief. In the interim laughter is tinctured with heartache. ‘The party always ends; acts of love cease.’”
-Bruce Waltke

“For I was envious of the arrogant
when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. …
Behold, these are the wicked;
always at ease, they increase in riches.
All in vain have I kept my heart clean
and washed my hands in innocence.” (Ps 73:3, 12-13)

“But when I thought how to understand this,
it seemed to me a wearisome task,
until I went into the sanctuary of God;
then I discerned their end.
Truly you set them in slippery places;
you make them fall to ruin.” (Ps 73:16-18)

“Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.” (Luke 6:25b)

“…a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; … Sure he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows…” (Isa 53:3-4)

“Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.” (Luke 6:21)

“And the ransomed of the LORD shall return
and come to Zion with singing;
everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;
they shall obtain gladness and joy,
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” (Isaiah 51:11)

“Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.” (John 16:20-22)