Now and Not Yet
Opening Prayer
Father, I choose to rejoice in who You are today—fill my heart with Your joy.
Read Psalm 126
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dreamed.
2 Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.
4 Restore our fortunes, Lord,
like streams in the Negev.
5 Those who sow with tears
will reap with songs of joy.
6 Those who go out weeping,
carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
carrying sheaves with them.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What difference does rejoicing in the Gospel make to your day?God saves his people without their help. It’s almost as if they’re sleepwalking as he rescues them (1). And they awaken to a new reality: that he has brought them back or restored their fortunes, and so they overflow with joy and laughter and gladness (2a,3). Even onlookers can see the great things God has done (2b).
This was the Israelites’ testimony, over and over again. They were repeatedly rescued by a gracious God, beginning with their first rescue from Egypt through the Red Sea. There they were told they
wouldn’t need to do anything but watch God at work (Exod. 14:14).
We too look back with amazement to see that we were rescued by Jesus’ death on the cross. He did everything for us, and our hearts and mouths are filled with joy and gladness and praise.
Verse 4 is a prayer for the days ahead. “Restore our fortunes” echoes verse 1. It’s a prayer that God would again be gracious in the present. The Negev was a barren wilderness, but when rains fell on the mountains, streams cascaded through the dry valleys and brought life. Seeds sown today in sorrow and backbreaking work lead to sheaves at the harvest and songs of joy (5,6).
Apply
What has God done for you? It could be his salvation or even a simpler blessing. Share that testimony with someone today.
Closing prayer
Pray with confidence to the God who has saved you in the past and who will ultimately bring you to himself with great joy.
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