Psalm 126 - From Tears to Joy.
Psalm 126: From Tears to Joy.
Psalm 126:1-6 (NLT) When the Lord brought back his exiles to
Jerusalem, it was like a dream! 2 We were filled with laughter, and we sang
for joy. And the other nations said, What amazing things the Lord
has done for them. 3 Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for
us! What joy! 4 Restore our fortunes, Lord, as streams renew the
desert. 5 Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. 6
They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they
return with the harvest.
COMMENTARY PEARL
Aren't these verses encouraging? From tears to joy, from
weeping to rejoicing - that's a radical transformation. The almighty
God, for whom nothing is impossible; the all-loving God, whose plans
for you are plans for good; the all-wise God who knows what is best
for each one of His children - our God has the power to bring beauty
from ashes. He brings hope in the most difficult circumstances. The
promises found in these verses characterize the Lord and the transforming
work He can do in your heart and life. God can transform your tears
into joy. Whatever reasons for those tears, we who serve the Lord can
always have hope in Him. We know that He can completely transform even
the worst situation; we know that His presence can turn tears to joy
and sorrow into celebration.
The Crucifixion preceded the resurrection. That was God's
power at work. Whatever loss or death, whatever pain or struggle
you're dealing with, know that God can bring into your situation new
life, genuine joy, and heartfelt rejoicing. That's the God we serve.
[Being Still With God Every Day by Henry Blackaby re vss. 5, 6]
OVERVIEW
The series of psalms from 120-134 were special songs sung by
Jews who came from all over the world to Jerusalem to celebrate the
festivals. Each psalm is a "step" along the journey. Psalm 120 begins the
journey in a distant land; Psalm 122 pictures the arrival in Jerusalem;
the rest of the psalms move toward the Temple, praising and
worshiping God.
Here in Psalm 126 is a joyous reminder that God blesses his
people, here bringing them back from exile and restoring them. The
people celebrating would sing this psalm, remembering that at times the
nation had "plant[ed] in tears" but was now able to "harvest with
shouts of joy." That's why these people were singing songs of praise.
That's the God we worship. He can take our times of tears and
sadness and bring about a harvest of joy. And that's what happens when
we look past whatever circumstance is before us and choose to
praise God. When we praise him for what he has done, even through our
tears, we know that our tears will one day be turned to joy. And the
joy God gives is unquenchable and eternal. [The One Year Bible for
New Believers re Psa.126]
COMMENTARY APPLICATION
Some Christians are sadly prone to look on the dark side of
everything, and to dwell more upon what they have gone through than upon
what God has done for them. Ask for their impression of the Christian
life, and they will describe their continual conflicts, their deep
afflictions, their sad adversities, and the sinfulness of their hearts, yet
with scarcely any allusion to the mercy and help which God has
vouchsafed them. But a Christian whose soul is in a healthy state, will
come forward joyously, and say, I will speak, not about myself,
but to the honour of my God. He hath brought me up out of an
horrible pit, and out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and
established my goings: and he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise
unto our God. The Lord hath done great things for me, whereof I am
glad. Such an abstract of experience as this is the very best that any
child of God can present. It is true that we endure trials, but it is
just as true that we are delivered out of them. It is true that we
have our corruptions, and mournfully do we know this, but it is quite
as true that we have an all-sufficient Saviour, who overcomes these
corruptions, and delivers us from their dominion. In looking back, it would
be wrong to deny that we have been in the Slough of Despond, and
have crept along the Valley of Humiliation, but it would be equally
wicked to forget that we have been through them safely and profitably;
we have not remained in them, thanks to our Almighty Helper and
Leader, who has brought us out into a wealthy place. The deeper
our troubles, the louder our thanks to God, who has led us through
all, and preserved us until now. Our griefs cannot mar the melody of
our praise, we reckon them to be the bass part of our lifes song,
He hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad. [Morning
and Evening by Charles H. Spurgeon re v. 3]
Deliverance is just the beginning; God always wants to do
something more. He wants to make us rivers of blessing [Chapter by Chapter
Bible Commentary by Warren Wiersbe re Psa. 126:4]
He also wants you to get to work in the harvest (vv. 5-6).
Whether it is plowing the field (Luke 9:62), sowing the seed, or reaping
the sheaves, God has a place for you. If you water the seed with
your tears, you will one day rejoice as you bring in the sheaves.
This is the formula for a harvest: going, weeping, sowing, reaping.
[Chapter by Chapter Bible Commentary by Warren Wiersbe re Psa. 126:5, 6]
TESTIMONY
As a poet and songwriter, many times I have seen the beauty
of words and music rise, phoenix-like, out of the ashes of
difficulty and grief. These verses from Psalms (which are themselves poems
and song lyrics) speak to me about the redemptive process of art
making. Although my writing paper, mountain dulcimer, and wooden guitar
would probably thank me not to splash my tears on them quite so often,
I view them as my metaphorical "fields" in which I plant and, in
time, harvest.
For several years, I have had these verses from Psalm 126
posted beside my bed and on my refrigerator. They remind me that what I
see now is not what will always be. And I glean hope that even in
dark times, and often unbeknownst to me, seeds that will one day be
cause for joy are even now being quietly yet deeply planted. In God's
time, they will surely spring forth and sing.
Ahna Phillips, a poet, singer, songwriter, arts facilitator,
and creative-writing instructor, is involved with Masterpiece
Ministries, an organization whose mission is "to help young people identify
their gifts in the arts and to encourage them to become wholehearted
followers of Jesus Christ." [The One Year Bible Live Verse Devotional re
vv. 5, 6]
ILLUSTRATION
After a week of camping, my wife and I were on our way to
pick up five of our grandkids so they could spend the weekend with us
before we headed home. Our camper had been neat and quiet all week, but
within thirty minutes of the kids' arrival, everything had changed.
There were clothes, sleeping bags, and backpacks everywhere. Within
the first few mutes, there was also spilled milk, cookie crumbs on
the sofa, and much more. There was also a lot of love and laughter.
My wife and I went to bed with smiles on our faces and hearts full
of love.
I thought about this and how much it parallels our Celebrate
Recovery group (or most any Christian group). People come into our group,
into our lives. They're loud, and they make messes. But as we love
them into our family and clean up a few messes, they learn to laugh,
their hurts begin to heal, they come to know Jesus, and it's all
worthwhile.
The love and laughter we share with family and friends is all
we will take to heaven with us. Those relationships are the most
important thing of all.
Lord God, thank you for giving us the ability to laugh even
when faced with messy campers and messy people. It reminds us of what
is truly important. In Jesus' name, Amen. [Celebrate Recovery Daily
Devotional by John & Johnny Baker re vss. 2, 3]
CONCLUDING THOUGHT
God never pretends that this life will be free of hardship or
pain, but He insists that, for those who know and love Him, our tears
are nothing but seeds that will bloom one day into enormous trees of
joy. [Life Principles SB By Charles Stanley re Psa. 126:5]
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
Seeking God Made Real: http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES AND SEMINARS
Restoring The Power by John Bradshaw:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRogO1SxoZN15Boa7BMon4BouVMdteVaq
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: http://www.bibleresearch.info/
ABible.com: http://www.aBible.com
