Return To Our Joy

Psalm 126:1–6 CSB

When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Our mouths were filled with laughter then, and our tongues with shouts of joy. Then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord had done great things for us; we were joyful. Restore our fortunes, Lord, like watercourses in the Negev. Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy. Though one goes along weeping, carrying the bag of seed, he will surely come back with shouts of joy, carrying his sheaves.

Observations

Title: Return to our Joy

Introduction

The heart of the writer is for those in exile to be return to Zion.

What does it mean to be “Restored”?

To bring back to an original existence, function, or position.

What exactly did it mean for the exiled to be restored? What were they wanting?

To be exact they wanted to return to the dwelling place of God

Zion a stronghold

Zion encompassed the whole, not just Jerusalem

Zion was the place where the temple was, the worship of God.

Zion was the source of their joy. They yearned for it and desired to be back in the place of the protection, the place of their fellowship, the place of their worship to the Lord.

CIT: They wanted to their “Joy” restored

During times of distress, times of uncertainty, times of pain we all yearn for something: for our joy to be returned; for the things that caused us to be joyous to be returned.

Body

What does the Lord restoring look like?

Suddenly: Like the waterways of the Negev is like a dry desert that has been suddenly filled by a flood.

Over time: Like a farmer who plants seeds and waits for the seeds to grow

The characteristics of people brought back

They are people of optimism (Like people who dream).

Its not a if but a when

It is the Lord who brings us back

They are people who have been filled (set apart) by the Lord

They remember who they were, who they are supposed to be, and they yearn for that.

They are people who worship (rejoice)

Its the Lord’s character to do great and benevolent things (past)

They are confident in that he still hasn’t abandoned them

They know the Lord will restore them,

Think about how the prophets of old new Jesus would come, so we should be as confident that God will restore His people.

They are people who sowed faithful (in tears; weeping)

Despite being in hardship they never stop seeking God; they never abandoned their faith. (carried the bag of seed)

Despite being in hardship they never stop proclaiming God (seed)

They come back with something

They reaped (h:kasaar) harvest from experienced. You learned something.

You brought something (sheeves) back with you; the people you proclaimed the gospel to during this time.

Conclusion: The evidence of that your Joy has been return is your transformation. You sorrow has turn to joy because of the Lord. You were in exile but now you are in Zion.

20 Truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice. You will become sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn to joy. 21 When a woman is in labor, she has pain because her time has come. But when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the suffering because of the joy that a person has been born into the world. 22 So you also have sorrow now. But I will see you again. Your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy from you. ()

Transformation happens when you are a person who comes back to the Lord and that person is a joyous person.