|
|
| |
We Were Like Those That Dream
 |
“When the Lord brought back the captive ones of Zion, we were like those who dream.” Psalm 126:1 This song of ascent, filling the air on the way up to Jerusalem, describes the unspeakable joy that follows great deliverance and blessing from the Lord. It is unknown if some dire affliction or crushing tyranny from an enemy king was the event which caused the holy city to be in sorrow and distress, and in great need of the Lord’s swift deliverance, prompting the singing of this psalm.
Nevertheless, the Lord comes to the aid of His people, Israel, and delivers them by His hand, because of His great love for them. Then, their sorrow departs speedily, and unimaginable joy arrives just as suddenly, so much so that they feel they are dreaming, that the news of their deliverance is too good to be true. “Is this a dream? O, if it be a dream, let me sleep on, and do not wake me yet.” (Charles H. Spurgeon)
The joy of the Lord is life-giving and strengthening. Nehemiah 8:10 We, as Christians, can surely apply this truth in our lives. Instead of allowing trials, stress, or any of the enemy’s bondage to shackle us, we can decide that we will allow the joy of the Lord to give us His strength and life instead. Joy is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, so every Christian has joy abiding within, even though we may feel like we can’t access that joy. Thanking and praising the Lord that we have His joy will quickly bring it to the surface. We are acting on our faith in His Word, which says, “For the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace… Galatians 5:22
“Then our mouth was filled with laughter and our tongue with joyful shouting.” Psalm 126:2 Many times when the Lord touches our hearts and lives with great deliverance and blessing, laughter, clapping, and shouting are natural responses of the human spirit and body. People on game shows who win large sums of money, sports fans, and those who receive wonderful news, laugh, shout, dance, clap, and jump for joy. We must let the Lord release those natural emotions in us, because he put them inside us for our benefit. For what nobler cause could we employ them than for His glory?
“Then they said among the nations (Gentiles), the Lord has done great things for them.” Jehovah was known to be the God of Israel, and to Him the other nations ascribed the deliverance of His people, reckoning it to be no small thing. This was the first time that a people had been restored to their former dwelling place. The Gentile nations knew that Israel’s God had released them from their captors. We might ask ourselves at this point, “Do our lives witness to those who know us, of Jesus and His great salvation?”
“The Lord has done great things for us; whereof we are glad.” The Gentiles’ recognition of the Lord’s blessing on Zion was answered with exaltation to the Lord for what He had done. Their hearts were glad, and they publicly thanked and praised Him for His goodness to them. Jesus asked, “Where are the nine?,” after he cleansed the ten lepers. Only one returned to thank Him for his healing. The Lord is worthy of all praise and thanksgiving. We should always be ready to acknowledge the great things He has done for us.
“Restore our captivity, Lord, as streams in the south.” It is wise to look to the same One, who in former times has been so good to us. Where else should we go but to Him who has done such great things for us? Even as the Lord forms streams in the desert with sudden downpours, desert flowers whose seeds have lain dormant for years suddenly bursting into bloom, He can fill us in times of weariness and need with floods of holy delight, if we will press into His presence.
“They who sow in tears shall reap in joy.” Present difficulties should not be viewed as if they will last forever. Looking unto Jesus, while walking through the circumstances, will always bring us out on the other side with joy.
Without doubt, everyone has days that seem to be barren, dry, unproductive-- “sowing in tears.” The days may even become weeks, and the weeks, months, in some instances. The end of the dry, dusty road seems so very far away during those times. Weep not, for those tears are the seeds for your future celebration of joy. “He who goes forth weeping, bearing precious seeds, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” Psalm 126:6
Betty Seiley
|
|
|
|
|
