Devo 07: Psalm 126
Restore Our Fortunes, O Lord
A Song of Ascents.
126 When 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.
Devotional Thought:
This passage talks about people going out to sow in the field with tears and weeping. Anytime someone goes to plant something, they’re hopeful it will grow into something, maybe a tree that beautifies the park? Maybe something that can used for cooking? But how do you sow and plant the seed when you’re not hopeful? When the current outlook on life looks pretty bleak? Do we stay at home and don’t bother planting the seeds? The Apostle Paul was no stranger to sadness, he said as Christians we are always, “sorrowful, yet always rejoicing.” There are lots of reasons to be sad today, the pandemic we’re living in has disturbed and disrupted our lives in many ways, yet would that not keep us from gospel hope today and the regular activities of a people with hope. And we have this hope because of the great things God has already done for us through his Son Jesus.
So what do a people with hope do even if we must drag ourselves out to sow today in tears? Even if our faith feels stagnant and our spiritual life feels fruitless? It means even in our tears now, we “sow” in our relationship with God through His Word and prayer. It’s something that will never return void. Whether it’s our private time with God, or meeting Him with others, it’s never a waste of our time to invest in a better relationship with God. Because in the end when everything fades away, what will remain is who we are before Him. And because of that, we “sow” and invest in our relationships with others that they might also know this same everlasting, joy-giving God. And we “sow” in the ways that pursue the flourishing of the world today not because we think we can create a perfect world now, but because it reflects the perfect world with joy and laughter that is coming. Even if you are feeling down now, don’t give up sowing in God’s Kingdom and wait expectantly because the joyful harvest is coming soon!
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I confess that often I don’t feel like reading your Word, I don’t invest in my relationship with You or other believers because I wonder if the payoff will be worth it in the end. And there are sad things in my life and around me that make it difficult to focus on You. Lord, help me believe that you can turn my mourning into dancing, that even in tears today I will focus and dedicate myself to You and your will for me. That you will clothe me with gladness, the righteousness of Christ, and to know the smile of my Father who looks upon me with favor, love, and acceptance. Give me hope to see the day when the deserts of my life are replaced with gardens of new life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
