A Dream Come True
After a day of not too much activity, today we got toured around Summit County. We had breakfast in Dillion, traveled Highway 6 through Keystone and A-Basin to the top of Loveland Pass. We haven’t made this trip in over 30 years. On the way home we went to Breckenridge, walked around a little and enjoyed a quick lunch, before returning to Frisco.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “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.” Psalm 126:5,6 NLT
The return to Jerusalem, was a challenging trip, but not one of drudgery. It was one of anticipation. It was like a goal to be achieved. So this psalm opens with the declaration, “When the Lord brought back his exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream! We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy.” (Psalm 126:1,2 NLT)
The words of this psalm not only reflect the focus and goal of spiritual pilgrims returning to Jerusalem for annual feasts; but the time when God’s people returned to Jerusalem after 70 years of captivity in Babylon. After years of being in a foreign land, removed from the visible presence of the Lord, when King Cyrus, ordered the Temple to be rebuilt in Jerusalem; the news was too good to be true.
The time of weeping and sorrow had come to an end. The time of joy had now come. The hard work of “planting and growing” was over, now was the time of “harvest.”
“Weeping” and “tears” seem to be the seeds of joy in the Bible. We read, “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.” (Psalm 56:8 NLT) “…weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5 KJV)
When Nehemiah rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem and the law was read to the people there was weeping by the people. But we see Nehemiah telling them, “…Do not mourn or weep…Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:9,10 NIV)
God’s faithfulness to His people becomes a witness to others. This psalm declares, “…the other nations said, ‘What amazing things the Lord has done for them.’ Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us! What joy!” (Psalm 126:2,3 NLT)
Finally I notice the plea for the Lord to bring to completion, what has been dreamed for in the return to Jerusalem. “Restore our fortunes, Lord, as streams renew the desert.” (Psalm 126:4 NLT)
We can be confident that the Lord not only brings us “home” and to our desired place, but along with that brings full restoration. That is why we see in Revelation John’s vision of a new heaven and a new earth and a new order. (Revelation 21:1-4)
There may be weeping in this life, in this place removed from “God’s home.” But one day we will enter the true “City of our God” and it will be like “a dream” and we will be full of joy!
Prayer for today…. Lord, thank You that You see our tears and our sorrow; our hardships in this world. But we look forward to the day when we enter the city You have prepared for us. What a day that will be!