Harvesting Joy

Psalm 126 NLT

A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. 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.” 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.

Introduction:

Interview of Austin Tice’s family - US Reporter detained in Syria for 12 years under Assad's regime. Released from prison by rebel take over - "We believe His joyful personality did him well while in detainment."

How?

10 - It is hard to be Joyful when we are Tearful.

- Christmas carols often extol the joy and celebration of the season. But For many,it’s also a season filled with grief and sorrow.

- This Psalm is a Psalm of ascent which means it was a song Pilgrims sang on their journey to the temple to worship the Lord, or as they arrived at the temple -

It speaks of a time when God restored Israel - So likely after the Exile.

- I chose the reading from the NLT because I think it is closest to the meaning - He brought back the captives

It came as a surprise like a dream.

- It is like many in Syria who have been rejoicing that the reign of Bashar Assad is over. I heard one interviewer say, that for now the people are rejoicing, but with a slimmer of hope, because what will come next, will the next ruler be good or bad? - So like last week, their is Joy, but not in the fullest.

The second part of this Psalm is a request for full restoration of the captives. They rejoiced, but sometimes they are weeping until the full restoration.

Definition of Biblical Joy:

biblical joy “goes far beyond momentary happiness. … It is an extreme happiness that cannot be deterred by present circumstances. This type of joy comes from God alone. Joy can often be experienced when a Christian thinks about salvation, eternal life, or Jesus” (Hope Bolinger, Christianity.com)

- For the Psalmist - Even during their current suffering they see Joy - they turned those tears into an investment of Joy.

So what the Biblical Perspective is....

11 - Joy is a Product of Our Hope in Jesus.

When My Boss said: "This too shall pass." When we had a major failing to ship all of our product on time.

My advice to people who move - "It is painful, but this too will pass." You will not move forever. - Imagine the joy of being settled and enjoying your new place - It shifts your perspective when you see the time and work in moving as an investment into a joyous future.

Up-Downs -Burpies in Football, Ladders in Basketball - Painful, hated them, but man did it feel great when our team could out last the other team because we were in better shape or had more indurance.

Many of you have had parts replaced on your body. In great pain. You had knee replacement surgery, or hip replacement surgery, and what did you have to do afterwords - P.T. - Physical Torture. But if you did what the Physical Therapist told you to do, and go through the pain of P.T. - Result - You were full of joy for the restoration. - It was worth it.

So it is our Expectation of future goodness or restoration that makes the investment of tears worth it. This Expectation is called Hope, and we have a lot to Hope for in Christ.

“People could have had joy before Jesus came, but his arrival was the culmination of a special promise. Ever since sin entered the world, humanity had been broken. Creation was also broken by sin, and since that time has been crying out with groans for relief (Romans 8:22–23). Jesus’ birth fulfilled prophecies that the Messiah would come and break sin’s hold, starting a new phase of God’s redemption plan” (G. Connor Salter, BibleStudyTools.com)

- And we have this Expectation that Jesus will come back again and wipe away every tear, sickness, death, and be present with us forever.

Some suffering is hard to see as an investment.

- Cancers, Abuses at the hands of others. Needless suffering of Children. How can God allow such suffering. Ultimately all of this suffering is a product of the Fall, it is unfair, it is the result of Humans taking the reigns and God giving us what we asked for. Some of these feel less like an investment into future Joy, but a theft from our Account of Joy. - But even then, We have this promise from God.

Blessed are the Poor in Spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

Blessed are those who Mourn, for they shall be comforted.

- Jesus' promise is to not just refill our investment account with what was there, but to turn our empty accounts into an abundance.

- He will turn our weeping into laughter.

- 12 - Video: BibleProject (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvOhQTuD2e0).

To be a person of Joy:

Application Point: Remember What God Has Done in the Past - Faithfulness.

Application Point: Expect Jesus to Do what he promises in the future - Hope.

Application Point: View your current struggles as an investment into that Joyous future.

Conclusion: Are you lacking Joy - Look to your Hope in Jesus to find Joy in all circumstances.