Day 784: Psalm 126- Joyful Expectation

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.
 
Meditation
Joyful expectation is characteristic of people who feast on God’s past faithfulness. Rejecting cultural tendencies of instant gratification, pilgrims walk patiently in joyful expectation to reap bountifully of His hope through salvation in Christ.
 
Pilgrims on the uphill path to festivals of faith walked forward singing this psalm of ascent, fueling joyful expectation by celebrating God’s past faithfulness: God had restored! God will restore again.
 
The Lord’s restoration is historical, an actual event in history. The restoration of the Lord is personal, leading to laughter, joy, gladness, and praise. Hearts restored proclaim, “The Lord has done great things!” (3)
 
God’s historical mighty acts give strength for today and hope for tomorrow. With fueled faith we pray, “Restore our fortunes, oh Lord!” (4). The Lord’s restoration will be both sudden and slow. Sudden like a downpour that creates streams in a desert (4). Slow like seed planted that will eventually grow (5). Slow growth of restoration brings transformation of tears to “shouts of joy” (5, 6).
 
Joyful expectation begins by looking back to God’s historical acts. The cross of Christ gives ground for pilgrims to walk a persevering path, sowing generously to reap bountifully (2 Corinthians 9:6). Joyful expectation is bountiful when we believe Jesus who promises He Himself will restore (1 Peter 5:10).
 
Richly Dwelling
-Do you walk the path of life with joyful expectation, trusting the Lord will restore and redeem all He allows?
 
-How does focusing on God’s past actions of faithfulness fuel strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow?
 
-Christ’s promise to personally restore should fuel perseverance in the race marked out for us. Where do you need to hold tight to His promises in joyful expectation of God’s restoration?
 
Key Verse
6 He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.