Friday, November 30, 2018: Psalm 126:1-6
1When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.
2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad.
4 Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like streams in the Negeb!
5 Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!
6 He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.
“Where were you on September 11, 2001?” Ask any American this question that’s 18 years old or older, and they will quickly tell you. The tragedy of this day is not only due to the scope of the acts of terror, but also to how completely unexpected they were. Additionally, events like these raise important theological or biblical questions such as, “Where is God in these moments? Why didn’t He intervene?” While we may not be able to say God intervened in any specific event, we can point to events in history when God acted to bring about totally surprising changes.
Psalm 126 is the reaction of the psalmist to a specific intervention by God in the life of Israel that resulted in praise and thanksgiving to God. The poet of Psalm 126 encouraged us to embrace and celebrate the reality of the great things God does for us, and to entreat Him to continue His work of restoration in our lives. The psalmist remembered being wonderfully surprised by God. The poet’s community had been surprised when God brought back the captive ones. The joy of renewed fellowship with God’s people in the land God had promised Israel was wonderful, but something even more important occurred as the released captives celebrated. The joy of God’s people was so great that even other nations noticed what God had done. When the nations heard what the Lord had done for His people, even they recognized His hand in the restoration.
Because God’s worshipers knew what God had done in the past, they were encouraged to believe that God would act again. God helped them see and trust that the painful present was not the end. Indeed, the present hardship could set the stage for a joyful future. God restores His people because He loves them. He also restores His people so the message of His love, power, and purpose will go out to others with authority. God still turns dry places into rivers of blessing. He still rewards the demanding, difficult task of sowing seed with a joyful harvest.
- The psalmist reflected on God’s work in the life of Israel as a testimony to His grace. How can sharing your story and what Christ has done in your life bring glory to God?
- How is God more glorified by the gospel going to all nations than He would be if it didn’t?
- Pray your life and the lives of members at ICC will lead other people to say, “The Lord has done great things for them.”