16
Nov
“When the Lord brought back his exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream! We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, “What amazing things the Lord has done for them” (Psalms 126:1-2 NLT).
Psalm 126 celebrates the Israelites release from Babylonian captivity. As exiles, they were banished from their home. For 70 years, they knew the challenges of being displaced and feeling disconnected. But being exiled doesn’t require a geographic relocation.
We may feel disconnected from a primary relationship, an essential role or even our life’s purpose with or without leaving our front door. Such a separation poses a threat to our well-being.
It’s understandable if our soul-searching reveals there’s little joy there. But by God’s grace, we can look again. Through a series of difficulties, I’m learning that even when life feels heavy or doesn’t make sense, there is a delight that supersedes logic. It’s made possible through faith in the God who carries us beyond what weighs us down.
With Him, “those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy” (Psalm 126:5). But sowing tearful seeds is definitely not enjoyable. There is usually some “exile experience” feeding our pain. And yet, God invites us to take the seed of what’s missing or what’s messy in our lives and release it into the ground of our faith.
Opportunities to sow good seeds are all around us. People who overcome struggles can serve their communities by helping others in similar situations. A choice to forgive an offense can soften a grace-resistant heart. These are just two examples. But as we seek to do God’s will, there is relief from what’s missing and what’s messy. Psalm 119:143 NLT puts it this way, “As pressure and stress bear down on me, I find joy in your commands.”
Where do you look when life becomes stressful? By reflex, I look for answers and relief. We can seek God for both.
But as we reflect on His goodness, we find joy in doing what’s good from God’s perspective.
His commands support our well-being. His joy is not just a mood lifter. It’s a life-changer when we find joy through hope in Christ. (Romans 5:1-3) Then we can learn to rest in the Lord, even as we trust Him with what needs restoration. Here is more of Psalm 126 to show us how.
“Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us! What joy! Restore our fortunes, Lord, as streams renew the desert. Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest” (Psalm 126:3-6 NLT).
The God who does amazing things will do amazing things again. For the Israelites, their return to Jerusalem felt like a dream. But we can have a Psalm 126 moment too. As we plant seeds of faith in the Lord, our song about His grace-filled harvest will come. Oh, what joy!
PRAYER: Dear God, this is my Psalm 126 moment. You have done amazing things for me! Even when my faith is challenged, You are still faithful. Whenever I feel displaced from what’s desired or what’s familiar, I choose to look to You. As I plant seeds of faith and obedience, restore my fortunes as streams renew the dessert. Thank You for the grace-filled harvest to come. In Jesus’ name, amen.
JOY TO THE SOUL: “As pressure and stress bear down on me, I find joy in your commands” (Psalm 119:143).
Kathy Francescon
Sweet Joy! I have so enjoyed this “Well Being” series so much! All of the articles have touched my heart and soul and spirit. I loved the Psalm 119 and 126 reference. Life has been a bit sad lately, as my brother was recently diagnosed with throat cancer…so both of these Psalms gave me such comfort and encouragement. I just sooo love the way you write! It is a soft melody of sorts to read, but packs such a powerful punch with your message! Thank you so very much for blessing me with comfort and encouragement. I always look so forward to your post. May God continue to bless you with your blog that so many of us need to hear. You are such a “joy” to me! Have a lovely and blessed Thanksgiving, and may God bless you and your family with love, health and a wonderful bounty of family fellowship! In Jesus Name, I pray, dear friend and Sister in Christ.
Joy
Hi Kathy! I’m sorry to hear about your brother’s recent diagnosis. I’m praying for him and for you. May you experience God’s peace and power as you journey through this difficult time. I’m glad your heart has been encouraged by the Well-Being series. God does some amazing things as we lean into His grace and embrace His truth. That’s an ongoing process for me. Hopefully, my lessons learned along the way continue to encourage others. Thank you for your kind words about my blog and the prayerful blessings for me and my family. Happy Thanksgiving and many blessings to you and your family too!
Kathy Francescon
Thank you so very much for your prayers and your words of encouragement…they help more than you know. And i am looking forward to your next series already! Have a blessed day, sweet friend!
Lucille Vestina Gaither
What is joy? Galatians 5 lists it as part of the fruit of the Spirit. Did that apply to the apostles? Every apostle of Christ was killed, except John (Judas committed suicide.) Our Lord Jesus spoke about the demise of the prophets as in Matthew 23 – “…Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city…” I take cues from Jesus and from Joseph. He lost his riches when separated from his father Jacob, sold into slavery at age 17, elevated by God at age 30 and riches fully restored at 42 years old. So he completed his cycle of riches to poverty then back to riches. Jesus left all of his riches in heaven that he had with the Father to come to earth and born in poverty, lived an obscure life, with a public ministry at 30 years old, killed and resurrected from the dead to return to his Father and the riches in glory in heaven. Life goes in cycles for some people. Rarely does a person suffer all of his or her life, except it be for the higher purpose of 1 Peter 3 – “And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?” That is where I am. For Joseph, it was 13 years as slave and inmate. For Jesus, it was 3 1/2 years of persecution. For me, it has been a lifetime. The ceaseless cycle near ends. James even said so – “Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.” So I ask again, what is joy? Somehow Peter found it, “Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory…” So I wait for the joy that will come with Jesus, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you…” When He comes back, I’ll get the joy of being with him and the joy of seeing my firstborn again.
Joy
Hi Lucille! Thank you for sharing your heart. May the promises we have in Christ continue to comfort you. May you continue to have the joy of the Lord!