Thursday Psalms: Shouts of Joy

Today's Psalm was likely written after the Israelite's returned from their captivity & exile in Babylon.  The first three verses celebrate their restoration, the final three proclaim the joyful harvest to be gathered.  Their dreams, prayers and hopes have become reality, as they returned to their homeland and the cherished city of Jerusalem.  Their tears and prayers were sown, and the joyful harvest was their returning home.

PSALM 126      

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. 

Perhaps today finds you sowing bitter tears as you struggle with a difficult concern.  Yours may be tears of sickness or worry, tears of frustration or sadness.  Trust in God's power to produce His harvest, and do what you are only able to dream.  Know that God is able to restore your fortunes, to carry you through your personal times of captivity &  exile.  By His terrible death on Calvary's cross, Jesus your Savior has already rescued you from the captivity & exile of your sins!  Jesus has turned those tears of repentance, shame and disappointment into your shouts of joy.  Shout out today:  "Thank You, Jesus, for saving me!"  No, really.  Right now, shout out loud!

We are all captives, exiled in this earthly life, living in this "veil of tears".  But we are not dismayed or defeated; our "shouts of joy" come from Jesus!  He has set you free to live joyfully today, and He will bring you home to spend eternity in heaven with Him!

Peace in Christ,

Pastor Mark

Pilgrim Lutheran Church, LCMS    Burton, Michigan

office:  810.744.1188     mobile:  248.881.7627

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     Sharing God’s Love & Mercy with Each Other & the World.

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Soli Deo Gloria

“Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come..."  Psalm 71:3a