Restored fortunes Psalm 126:1-6NLT
The pastor was called to hear the reading of the will from a wealthy member in his church. The minister and the man’s family were all disappointed to hear the will which read, "BEING OF SOUND MIND AND BODY, I SPENT ALL MY MONEY ON MYSELF."
When the Lord brought back his exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream! 2 We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.” 3 Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us! What joy! 4 Restore our fortunes, Lord,as streams renew the desert. 5 Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. 6 They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.
Everything within this chapter points to a time of return from captivity. Most likely this refers to the Babylonian captivity, from which there were three separate returns.
Under Zerubbabel. 2. Ezra. 3. and Nahemiah.
Verse 1, When the Lord brought back... Notice the Lord did it!
Again Verse 1, it was like a dream. Liberation- freedom, so unexpected, seemed more like a dream than reality.
* Last night, I had a really weird dream: I was the world renowned official dog food tasting expert.
In the book- Running For My Life, Lopez makes it to America. His adopted Dad and Mom bought him a new bicycle, and several soccer balls. He said, “All this was to good to be true. I knew I did not belong in this place. The only question was, how long would it take for these nice people to figure out a mistake had been made and send me on my way?”
Jeremiah 29:14NLT I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.”
This would be the era that Psalm 126 is speaking of.
Verse 1 again, We were like those who dream...
In the book- The Circle Marker, by Mark Batterson. He say’s, “If you keep praying, you’ll keep dreaming, and conversely, if you keep dreaming, you’ll keep praying. Dreaming is a form of praying, and praying is a form of dreaming. The more you pray the bigger your dreams will become.” And then he writes, “Our date of death is not the date etched on our tombstone. The day we stop dreaming is the day we start dying.”
What’s stolen your dream? Bad boss? bad marriage? education? Dream, pray; pray dream again!
Psalm 126:2TM We laughed, we sang, we couldn’t believe our good fortune. We were the talk of the nations.
In Luke 18, we can read of a president widow, who wouldn’t give up on making her request to a Judge, several times he refused to answer. The widow never give up, and finally the judge give in.
Do you think, this widow walked away saying, “Well I wore him down.”
Are do you think she was filled with joy and laughter knowing her dreams and prayers were answered!
Robert Loroe wrote: “Joy is the outcome of the Christian life; we don’t generate it—God does. None of us have joy within ourselves. People seek to attain joy through entertainment, which offers temporary, artificial joy. The vast entertainment industry in our nation is a sign of the depletion of joy in our culture. Many people act like bored kings in need of a court jester. I’m not saying it’s wrong to be entertained, but it’s foolish to think we will find joy from entertainment. Joy is not a commodity; it can’t be purchased. We don’t need a distraction from our stressful lives; we need a cure. The only cure comes from a living relationship with Christ. Our need for joy is legitimate, but how we get that need met often isn’t.”
Hear this, “God is in the restoration business!”
Psalm 126:2 Again, We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.”
First it was recognized by everyone around their country, and in verse 2, And the other nations said, “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.” And now the pagan gentiles begin to hear.
Psalm 126:3TM God was wonderful to us; we are one happy people.
When we love Jesus, resurrection is something we celebrate every day, and in every way. Prayer has the power to resurrect dead dreams and give them new life- eternal life.
Shout- He’s brought me out!
11 Things ‘happy’ people do differently.
Practice spirituality.
Express gratitude.
Cultivate optimism.
Avoid over-thinking and social comparison.
Practice acts of kindness.
Nurture social relationships.
Develop strategies for coping.
8. Learn to forgive.
9. Savor life’s joys.
10.Commit to your goals.
11.Take care of your body.
Psalm 126:4NLT Restore our fortunes, Lord, as streams renew the desert.
The psalmist prays that Israel’s fortunes will rapidly change from nothing to everything- like the spring rains that quickly fill and flood the dry desert valleys all around.
Psalm 126:5TM So those who planted their crops in despair will shout hurrahs at the harvest,
“Plant (Sow) your seed anyway, because if you don’t you always know what you’ll get- nothing. However, as you plant there’s always a possibility.”
Psalm 126:5NLT Again, Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy.
It has been said, "The reason we have so many dry baptistries is because we have so many dry eyes!" Ouch!
Psalm 126:6TM So those who went off with heavy hearts will come home laughing, with armloads of blessing.
What a divine trade- tears or heavy hearts for Armloads of blessings.
As Israel begin sowing tears of repentance over sin, the nation reaped the harvest of joyful return unto their homeland.
Benediction.
