When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dreamed.
Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
The Lord has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.Restore our fortunes, Lord,
like streams in the Negev.
Those who sow with tears
will reap with songs of joy.
Those who go out weeping,
carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
carrying sheaves with them.
- Psalm 126
When God restored the people of Israel to their homeland after many decades of captivity in Babylon, the people said that it was so wonderful that they wondered if they were dreaming. It was too good to be true, and yet it was.
Such was this blessing that even the godless nations looked at Israel's comeback and said, "Their God has done great things for them." Even those who did not know Yahweh acknowledged that He had blessed them. Indeed many of these nations had tried to stop Israel's comeback and failed. They knew the power that lived in Jerusalem and they honored it, if only out of fear.
The people of Israel also acknowledge that yes, God has done great things for them, and they are glad. So glad they can't stop laughing and singing. When was the last time you were that happy?
Israel ends by continuing to ask God to restore them, because while Israel has enjoyed a kind of restoration in the physical sense, they knew they needed a spiritual revival as well. They pray for this with eager anticipation. That revival would eventually come, but it would not look like what they expected.
I share this Psalm with you today because I have dreams of restoration. I have lost many dreams - some I squandered, some were stolen. I pray for the restoration of those dreams. I also pray for the dreams of my brothers and sisters, whom I weep with, that their joy may also be restored. I pray for the Church, whose dream is to redeem the lost for her husband, Jesus - and I pray for the Lost, who dream of what they do not know - that they would find Him forevermore.
I know that you too have dreams. I pray for those dreams to become real in God's will and His timing.
Perhaps one day soon we will experience the blessing of the Lord, and we too will wonder, "am I dreaming?"
Be blessed in the name of the Lord.
