Filled with joy

Psalm 126:1–3 (NIV) — 1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed. 2 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.” 3 The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.

This psalm was written after the Jews returned from exile in Babylon. Even without knowing any details we can feel the joy they experienced.

Now replace that word “Zion” with another word, like your own name, your family, your church, or even the USA. Does this make you think of a specific time or incident when fortunes were restored? “Fortunes” doesn’t necessarily mean money, by the way.

Thinking of that specific incident, can you recall how you felt? The writer describes their feelings as laughter, songs of joy, and being filled with joy. What other terms would you use to describe how you felt at that time?

Look at who the writer credits for this change: the Lord restored the fortunes, The Lord has done great things for them. The Lord has done great things for us,

Think about that former incident when fortunes were restored.  Can you see the Lord’s hand in it? Perhaps you or others had a significant role to play; perhaps it was just luck, or some combination of the two or even something else. But can you see the Lord’s hand working through those people or things?

The greatest restoration we have experienced is restoration to a new relationship with God through forgiveness of sin. Thinking about your sin and God’s forgiveness of that sin, can you feel the joy described here in this psalm?

Having acknowledged God’s work to restore our fortunes, it would only be right if we were to take a moment to thank him and praise him. Perhaps you could do that now.