Dreams, Tears and A Song
Scripture Text: Psalm 137:1-4
Focus: HOPE, PURPOSE, and RESTORATION
The hopes and dreams of people are often shattered by the unexpected or the undesired events of life. This is a word about the process of restoration. We have dreams that are interrupted by situations that result in tears. But praise God, he gives us a song of hope and a pre-determined purpose. The words of the psalmist say it best from Psalm 40:1-3 (AMP) I WAITED patiently and expectantly for the Lord; and He inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up out of a horrible pit [a pit of tumult and of destruction], out of the miry clay (froth and slime), and set my feet upon a rock, steadying my steps and establishing my goings. And He has put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many shall see and fear (revere and worship) and put their trust and confident reliance in the Lord.
Dreams are wonderful in that they often take us to places to which we can no longer travel. They take us back to our childhood with all of the innocence and carefree times. They also allow us to project ourselves into the possibilities of great tomorrows without the burdens of today. Dreams are defined as those things for which we hope and long to obtain. They include our ambitions and aspirations. The beauty of dreams is that they may also include those things that may be difficult to obtain and far removed from the present circumstances.
Such was the case when the people of the Lord were taken away captive from their own land. The experience was devastating. Many had died. Families and been separated and scattered. Those who were children were now senior citizens, and had never seen the city of David. It was indeed an unhappy time. It all seems to have been a long bad dream. The grief, sorrow and humiliation would be forever etched in their minds. They had been saved by the goodness of God, but could never forget the humiliation of defeat. They could not erase the hardships of the long journey. They would never forget the years of being homesick.
When we read the chronicle of their experience, we hear the loneliness and agony of their loss. “By the rivers of Babylon, there we [captives] sat down, yes, we wept when we [earnestly] remembered Zion [the city of our God imprinted on our hearts].” In their captivity the view of a free-flowing river caused dreams to come alive in their minds. Daydreaming can be more powerful than dreams in the night. One is in control of dreams in the day. They took a position of grief. They stooped down in a position of the mourners. They wept. They remembered. The good of it was that they remembered. They recalled the joy and peace of home. You must have a visual image of what you desire before you can move toward it. Somewhere in the world of the internet came a story about a prisoner of war (POW) in the Vietnam war who survived by daily practicing golf shots in his mind daily to protect his sanity. It is said that when he was released or rescued, he returned home. When he resumed his favorite activity of golf, he became a champion player. He did not let captivity steal his dream.
No matter what is happening or what has happened, we cannot allow anything to steal our dreams. Our dreams provide motivation for the underlying purpose of God in our lives. Dreams give birth to vision. When we recall the former years, it allows us to compare yesterday with today. This leads to projecting how to improve the present situation tomorrow. There are plenty of dream stealers in the land. Often they are disguised as well-meaning relatives and friends who want to caution you to “hope for the best but expect the worst”. What a ridiculous mindset! How can one be motivated by expecting what is not desired? Don’t listen to them.
Do not allow present conditions to vaporize your dreams. Dreams often contain our suppressed desires. Desire is the primary ingredient for faith. Faith is the substance of things hoped for [desired] and the evidence of that which have not yet seen. The Amplified uses the following language: Heb. 11:1 (AMP) NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]. Faith does not ignore reality, but allows us the fuel to move forward in spite of the limitations and obstacles in the way.
On the other hand, dreams can be the place of regret for the things we wish we could undo in our past. This leads to songs of remorse and hopelessness. The tragedy of the attitude of the children of Israel was not only did they stoop down in a mourning position, but they gave up their instruments of praise. Hear them now in the Amplified version: Psalm 137:2 (AMP) On the willow trees in the midst of [Babylon] we hung our harps. Psalm 137:3 (AMP ) For there they who led us captive required of us a song with words, and our tormentors and they who wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion. Psalm 137:4 (AMP) How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land?
The obvious lesson here is to never give up your harp. The harp is the instrument of praise. It is symbolic of the instrument of your voice. Again from Psalm 40, the writer emphasizes that when he was raised from a horrible pit [the place of bondage] and the miry clay [clinging circumstances], God put a new song in his mouth. It is a song of redemption and hope and praise to Almighty God.
THE MINISTRY OF TEARS
Until Morning Comes we must also understand the ministry of tears. This psalm was probably written toward the end of the Babylonian captivity. Their enemies had carried the Jews captive from their own land. To complete their woes, they insulted them; they required of them entertainment and a song. This was very barbarous; also profane, for no songs would serve but the songs of Zion. The very thought of honoring such a request brought great sorrow. The real issue was that they were not requesting an ordinary song, but one of the songs that belong to the praises of God! Those were the songs that brought back memories of the power, majesty and loving nature of God back home. Now all seems lost to never sing songs like that again. So they sat down and wept. With their harps dangling gently from the willow tree limbs they wept.
In the mind of this writer, just perhaps the tears served an additional purpose. There are many purposes for tears. Were these tears of sorrow, depression or grief? Perhaps they were tears of faith. Tears in Scripture play a unique role in spiritual breakthrough. This text along with several others regarding a spirit of brokenness picture a variety of purposes and functions related to tears.
No mistake about it, there are tears of sorrow. The Lord told the prophet to turn around and give the prophet this message: “Go back and say to Hezekiah, leader of my people, ‘This is what the Lord God of your ancestor David says: I’ve heard your prayer. I’ve seen your tears. Now I’m going to heal you. The day after tomorrow you will go to the Lord’s temple . I have seen your tears. God is aware of all the activities of the soul. The Lord recognizes your sorrow. He will hear you for more than your tears. He will hear you because of what He sees in you. He will hear you for your purpose and destiny.
There are also tears of joy. When Esau ran out to meet his brother Jacob, he embraced and kissed him. Then the Bible records that they wept. The joy of restoration was an outgrowth of their tears. Their years of separation had become a burden to both of them for their own reasons. Jacob feared Esau, and Esau had to live with the guilt of gluttony and disregard for his birthright. Their tears had to break through their years of stubbornness. Tears were the catalyst for restoration.
Then there are tears of compassion. The greatest example is Christ Himself in John 11:35, “Jesus wept”. Those who observed his compassion connected his tears with his love for His friend, “See how He loved him”. However, it seems as if the love of Jesus was for more than Lazarus. Certainly He could have spoken the word where He was and Lazarus would be raised from the dead instantly. He demonstrated that with the sick daughter of Jabirus. Christ purposely delayed answering the visitation request of the sister of his friend for four days. He did so to give God the glory and minister to those who would see a resurrected Lazarus. His compassion was far reaching. You cannot have real ministry without compassion.
There are tears of desperation, worry and extreme anxiety. In the Book of Esther, Mordecai wept bitterly when he discovered the plot of Haman to have all of the Jews killed. His desperation spread to every part of the country. Desperation comes when it seems we have nowhere to turn. The psalmist experienced the same dilemma in Psalm 42:3 (KJV) My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God? He then began to question himself, Psalm 42:5 (KJV) Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. In times of desperation, trust God and turn to Him.
Tears of travail represent the experience of every mother who has given birth through the pains of labor and travail. It is the agony of delivery. The period of travail may be long or short in duration. To the one in labor it may seem like an eternity. The purpose of labor makes it worth the effort and struggle. The birth of the baby brings great joy. God wants you to give birth to great victory, but labor comes first. The writer of Hebrews reminds us, Heb. 4:9 (KJV) There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. Heb. 4:11 (KJV) Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. Great deliverance await those who are willing to go through great tribulations. But remember, we are more than conquerors through Christ who loves us.
Finally there are tears of repentance. These are the most important tears we will shed in our lives. Tears of repentance must be distinguished from tears of guilt. One can shed tears over a regretted behavior, but never change behaviors through repentance. Tears of repentance represent regret over having offended Our Heavenly Father. A broken spirit and a contrite (remorseful) heart represent the true passion that accompanies repentance. When true repentance takes place a change will be manifest ( a new creature will emerge in terms of lifestyle).
In another liturgical hymn, the psalmist gave additional insight into the meaning and power of tears. Psalm Number 126 was probably composed by Ezra, at the return of Israel from Babylon. Those who are returned, were called upon to be thankful; those who still remain there, were prayed for and encouraged. Here is the message: Psalm 126:1 (AMP) WHEN THE Lord brought back the captives [who returned] to Zion, we were like those who dream [it seemed so unreal]. Psalm 126:5 (AMP)They who sow in tears shall reap in joy and singing. Psalm 126:6 (AMP) He who goes forth bearing seed and weeping [at needing his precious supply of grain for sowing] shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
Now play close attention to verses five and six. They who sow [plant seeds of ] tears shall reap [have a harvest] of joy and praise. You plant during the planting season. The planting of tears will be during the dry seasons in your life. Tears represent that seemingly endless period between the dream and the song. Tears represent the individuality of a traumatic experience. No one can shed your tears for you. They are evidence of your involvement whether directly or indirectly. Tears precede deliverance.
Unfortunately, many people try to suppress tears. Society has associated tears with weakness. To the contrary, anyone strong enough to be real with their emotions is on the road to deliverance. Emotional barriers of fear and hopelessness can be torn down when they are faced with the power of faith. However, deliverance is more than an event. It is a process. Tears become the outlet for the soul. They become evidence of the intensity of the situation. Yes, weeping only came for the night, and joy is arriving with the morning. By divine inspiration, I believe that your joy brings the morning. Morning is ushered in from the depths of the praises of the soul. It becomes a testimony to all who have witnessed your sorrow. The psalmist continues in Psalm 126:2 (AMP) Then were our mouths filled with laughter, and our tongues with singing. Then they said among the nations, The Lord has done great things for them. Psalm 126:3 (AMP) The Lord has done great things for us! We are glad! Psalm 126:4 (AMP) Turn to freedom our captivity and restore our fortunes, O Lord, as the streams in the South (the Negev) [are restored by the torrents]. Your deliverance will not be a secret. God will reward you openly!
Lord, Give Me a Song!
After the reflections of dreams, and the cleansing of the spirit with tears, you must release a song. Neither the quality nor the lyrics are as important as the type of song. Do not sing a song of grief, but a song of hope, a song of faith, a song of praise!
God designed you for praise. You were made in His image and likeness. God has angels around Him throughout eternity releasing praise. It has been said that the clapping of hands by the saints is similar to the fluttering of the wings of angels as they fly and praise God! No wonder the writer encouraged us to clap your hands all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph. Praise intimidates the devil. It becomes our weapon of offence to accompany the sword of the Spirit [which is the Word of God].
One of the most powerful scriptures in the Bible challenges us to live a life of praise. 1Th. 5:18 (KJV) In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Jesus taught us to pray the will of the Father to be done in the earth as it is in heaven. Therefore, our daily prayer should be, “God, give me a song.” A song is a declaration of confidence and a threat to the enemy of God. Since God inhabits the praises of His people, our song invites the presence of God to be manifest in our lives. The power of 1 Thessalonians 5:18a is in the phrase “ . . . in everything give thanks . . .” In every situation look for the good to give God praise Until Morning Comes. No, every situation is not a praise situation, but God is no less worthy of the praise.
The exciting news is that praise is not limited to the singing of songs to music. Praise is also manifest in our lifestyle. The highest praise is more than the words “halleluiah” but in our obedience to God. In other words, in every situation, no matter how difficult, obey God. When faced with loneliness and mood shifts to depression, obey God. Obey Him with service to others, and to yourself. Take care of yourself. Watch your health and eating habits. Strengthen the physical and spiritual man. Pray the prayer of Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. Watch what you say and speak into your life. Let it be positive and make certain it gives God the glory.
