Studies in the Psalms - Psalm 126

The greatest moment in our lives is that day in which the Spirit of God comes upon us and by our faith in Christ, we become born again to new life. If you have ever witnessed a real conversion followed by that person’s baptism, the person comes out of the water with a joyful countenance that is without description. But the truth of our Christian life is that the joy of salvation does not always shine upon us. The Christians life is filled with ups and downs. Our sin nature and the sin nature of not only the world, but of our fellow saints, brings pain and sorrow into our life. Though some commentators disagree, many believe Psalm 126 is a song of joy sung after the Babylonian captivity, which was a time of discipline in the Jewish nation.

Psalm 126:1-4

 When the LORD brought back the captive ones of Zion, We were like those who dream.  Then our mouth was filled with laughter And our tongue with joyful shouting; Then they said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them."  The LORD has done great things for us; We are glad.  Restore our captivity, O LORD, As the streams in the South.

When God has placed us in a season of discipline or we just happen to be caught up in someone else’s season, it can be heart-breaking. There will be tears. I’ve been there many times. You have as well. But God does not waste those tears.

Psalm 126:5-6
Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting.  He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed, Shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.

The harvest of joy which will come to the Christian one day, is being watered by the tears we shed now. Some of us will reap joy in this life, but it is also possible that this life will never bring earthly joy. But to all who call Jesus Lord, whether it is when God calls us home in physical death or it is when Christ returns, there will be joy. And it will be a joy such as we have never experienced.

What do we do until God restores us? We wait on Him. We watch and pray. And we stay busy doing His work. We also sow in tears. We find our joy in Him. This requires faith. Lots of faith. And where does faith come from?

Romans 10:17-18
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.  But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have, for “Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.”

If we say Jesus is Lord and savior of our lives, then that is enough. Sow with tears, my friends. There is a day coming when you will see the harvest. It will be a day of joy unlike any you have ever known.

Amen. Come soon Lord Jesus.