Are you glad?

 Psalm 126:1–6 (ESV):  

1  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. 

You can only really appreciate what you have got when you have gone through times where you have suffered. This psalm tells of the dream-like joy the people of Israel felt when they returned to their homeland after being in captivity. They had suffered physically and emotionally, they had been apart from familiarity, their homes and community, their routines disrupted, and faith shaken. Then, God made it possible for them to return - can you begin to imagine the joy?! They laughed and shouted in happiness, acknowledging that ‘The Lord has done great things for us’! Suddenly the joy of reconciliation and restoration outstripped the pain of suffering and exile. This had now been exchanged for the joy of reunion and restoration of their souls, faith and homeland. The Israelites would not have experienced that extent of happiness if there had not been the sowing in tears (v5). The depths of misery that they had known meant they could really appreciate coming ‘home with shouts of joy’. How much more beautiful does home seem when you have been away for a while? Imagine that magnified, due to being forced from home and prevented from returning, having been held captive elsewhere. The Israelites experienced that as a whole nation, imagine the noise of their jubilation; the singing, dancing, laughter, shouts and cries of joy. 

Through this time of great gladness, the people could clearly see the hand of God. They did not just express exuberant joy over the changed circumstances, they also acknowledged and celebrated how the situation had changed. They knew this restoration could not have been possible without God. He had taught them, protected them, favoured them and led them home. Therefore He was at the centre of their celebrations. It was so obvious that God had transformed the circumstances for Israel, as even those ‘among the nations’ declare, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The successful deliverance of Israel had far-reaching impact among nations! The joy, protection, and restoration of God’s people travelled to unnamed nations so that those not of God’s people, those with different faiths and cultures, could see and appreciate that there had to be a God involved in this rescue mission! What an amazing acknowledgement - that things like this do not happen unless there is God involved. Miraculous, unbelievable, unmerited favour and deliverance can only be from the hand of God. This can be seen even by those who do not yet know Him, who seem far off. Yet they are observing the lives of the people of God, and they notice what happens, and how they respond. The Israelites' experience and reaction shows other people outside of the nation that these people - they have the favour of Almighty God with them! What do people notice as they observe your life, attitude and responses? 

Are you telling people the stories from your life that celebrate God’s favour? You have things that you can joyfully tell people, about God's goodness, love, grace and power. There are incredible blessings, times of favour and deliverance you have experienced, so do not be shy about telling others about them. Whether the hearers are believers or not. For your stories could influence others to also see that God is still doing great things for His people, because of the great things He has done for you. 

So, celebrate and allow yourself to be glad, laugh, and cry with joy, for ‘The Lord has done great things for us’. Even when you are in a season of sorrow, lack or difficulty, you can be certain that there is a joy to come. This psalm explains that you will sow tears, lose fortunes, you will weep and mourn. Yet you will also bear fruit, sow seed, shout with joy, laugh and know abundance! All because of the love and favour of God! So, whether your season is one of joy or sorrow, keep your eyes fixed on Him and live to earn His favour. You don’t want to miss out on the shouts of joy, singing, dancing and laughing because life got hard and you turned your back on God, do you?