True Joy

Introduction

We are in the middle of advent as this is our third week. Traditionally in the life of the church for over a millennia the church has celebrated the comings of our Lord Jesus Christ. One is yet to come, and of course His first coming.

Advent is a season that focuses on themes of hope, peace, joy, and love all of these what their fulfilment, their ultimate pinnacle in Jesus our Lord, Savior and God. Jesus is our hope of salvation, because we now have peace with God Has granted us the peace of God, a peace the surpasses all understanding.

As this third week of Advent is traditionally associated with joy, momentarily we will turn our attention to the 126th division of Psalm to explore what true joy looks like in light of God’s restoration, promises and future fulfilment.

It’s not uncommon for English speakers to use “joy” and “happiness” interchangeably. We often attribute both to the emotional response to things that brings a smile to our face or a sense of relief in the middle of a hard day. (car trouble)

In contrast, 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”

1. Joy Rooted in God’s Past Acts of Restoration (vv. 1-3)

Psalm 126:1–3 (LSB)

1 When Yahweh returned the captive ones 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, “Yahweh has done great things for them.”

3 Yahweh has done great things for us; We are glad.

Most likely refer to the Babylonian captivity. There were three separate returns.

Under Zerubbabel (Ezra 1-6)

Under Ezra (Ezra 7-10)

Under Nehemiah (Nehemiah 1-2)

The Psalm starts once again by recalling a moment of profound deliverance. The expression, “returned” can also be translated as restored or to bring back, which conveys a a complete reversal of misfortune which is a theme associated with God’s covenant of faithfulness.

“like those those who dream” means that the actual experience of liberation was so unexpected, so massive, it was like a dream. God has told you…

1 Corinthians 2:9 (NLT)

9 That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”

This liberation was so grandiose that they could not even had imagined it and it seemed like a dream at first. Then, when it settled in what God had done, that this was a reality, their amazement turned into laughter, a uncontrollable joy.

Not only did they see what God had done for them but their exuberance was such that they sang for joy that even the nations around them had to acknowledge that God had delivered them and had restored them.

Their praise and adoration of God was loud and unashamed, caught the attention of the neighboring nations.

This communal joy stems not just from relief but from the recognition of God's sovereignty and faithfulness. By recounting past restoration, the psalmist sets the stage for a hopeful anticipation of future acts of deliverance.

You can have joy today in your current misery by recounting the past victories. You have to remember what He has done in the past

Psalm 103:1–2 (LSB)

1 Bless Yahweh, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name.

2 Bless Yahweh, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits;

You cannot afford to be forgetful because your past deliverance, restoration, forgiveness keeps you hopeful and joyful in the present and ushers you into the future.

Reflecting on God’s past work in our lives fosters joy. What moments in your life testify to God’s faithfulness? Revisit them and let them renew your confidence in Him.

When the disciples started bickering about food,

Matthew 16:8–10 (LSB)

8 But Jesus, aware of this, said, “You men of little faith, why do you discuss among yourselves that you have no bread?

9 “Do you not yet understand or remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets full you picked up?

10 “Or the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many large baskets full you picked up?

When we understand and are convinced that the God who saved us in the past will continue to save us until you are safely in His arms, we wont be able to stop laughing. You will have an unexplainable smile from ear to ear.

My mother use to tell my brother “wipe that stupid grin off your face” people will look at us like we are crazy but we will laugh and smile because we know something that others do not. They do not suspect, or even believe, but we know and understand God’s intentions concerning His people that he intends to…

Isaiah 61:3 (NLT)

3 To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory.

God’s restoration replaces sorrow with joy. Even the promise of a restoration brings joy, the promise from a God who can do anything but lie. That is why Mary said,

Luke 1:46–47 (LSB)

46 And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord,

47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.

Mary’s joy is rooted in recognizing God’s mighty acts.

Exodus 15:1–2 (LSB)

1 Then Moses and the sons of Israel sang this song to Yahweh and said, “I will sing to Yahweh, for He is highly exalted; The horse and its rider He has hurled into the sea.

2 “Yah is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation; This is my God, and I will praise Him; My father’s God, and I will extol Him.

Joy comes from remembering God’s acts of deliverance

This is the beginning, the catalyst

Once you are in continual remembrance

2. Joy Sustained by Trust in God’s Promises (vv. 4-5)

Psalm 126:4–5 (LSB)

4 Restore our captivity, O Yahweh, As the streams in the Negev.

5 Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy.

Here, the psalmist transitions from reflecting on the past to praying for future restoration. The imagery of “streams in the Negev” illustrates God’s ability to bring life to barren places. The Negev, a dry desert south of Judah, would occasionally experience sudden floods that transformed the landscape with growth. This prayer expresses faith that God’s promises of restoration are as sure as the rains that bring renewal.

The metaphor of sowing in tears and reaping in joy acknowledges the reality of hardship. The act of sowing represents faith—believing in the unseen harvest despite present difficulties.

Difficulties cause by sin. Your sin, my sin, everyone’s sin. But those tears of faith and repentance will reap a harvest of joy.

Joy is the fruit of trusting God through seasons of sorrow because our our sin, confident that His promises will come to fruition.

Jesus read from Isaiah 61 the promise of deliverance

Luke 4:18 (LSB)

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, And recovery of sight to the blind, To set free those who are oppressed,

Then he simply sat down and said “today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” Promise given, promise fulfilled. The waiting was over.

Both Psalm 126 and Isaiah 61 point to a time of great rejoicing after a time of intense grief and sorrow. 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”

Trusting God’s promises sustains our joy even in difficult seasons. What areas of your life require faith and/or repentance like sowing in tears? Trust that God’s harvest will bring joy.

Isaiah 40:29–31 (LSB)

29 He gives power to the weary, And to him who lacks vigor He increases might.

30 Though youths grow weary and tired, And choice young men stumble badly,

31 Yet those who hope in Yahweh Will gain new power; They will mount up with wings like eagles; They will run and not get tired; They will walk and not become weary.

God sustains us through our seasons of waiting and hardship. Joy comes through even then.

Which is why the apostle admonishes to

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 (NIV)

16 Rejoice always,

17 pray continually,

18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Joy flows from trusting God’s unchanging character.

3. Joy Fulfilled in God’s Future Restoration (vv. 6)

Psalm 126:6 (LSB)

6 He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed, Shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, carrying his sheaves with him.

This verse reinforces the agricultural metaphor, emphasizing the certainty of the harvest. The imagery of carrying seed while weeping reflects the reality of hardship and sacrifice, yet the promise of returning with “sheaves” (bundles of harvested grain) symbolizes abundant blessing and joy.

The joy described here is not immediate gratification but the culmination of faithful labor and God’s intervention. It points forward to the ultimate restoration God will bring when all sorrow and pain are wiped away.

Joy is rooted in the assurance of God’s ultimate victory. Live with confidence in God’s promises, knowing that He will complete what He has begun.

Just like the farmer that with great patience and arduous labor toils in the heat of beating sun, he does so because his toil as painful and uncomfortable it my be is worth all the while considering what comes after as a result of his faithful diligence

Romans 8:18 (LSB)

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

Present struggles are eclipsed by the future joy. This is the same principle applied by the Lord Himself, our example as we are to have the mind of Christ.

Hebrews 12:2 (LSB)

2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

And His work secures the ultimate joy for His people.

Conclusion

Psalm 126 teaches us that true joy is not dependent on circumstances but is rooted in the character and work of God. It looks back on God’s faithfulness, finds strength in His promises, and rejoices in the hope of future restoration.

As we consider the true nature of joy this Advent, let us remember that Christ’s coming brings joy that transcends the moment. It is a joy rooted in the assurance of God’s love and promises. Reflect on how God has worked in your life, trust Him in the present, and live with the joyful anticipation of His future fulfillment.

Blessing Proclamation:

1 Thessalonians 5:23–24 “23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely, and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful is He who calls you, who also will do it.”