PSALMS 126:4-6: “Restore our fortunes, Lord, As the streams in the South. Those who sow in tears shall harvest with joyful shouting. One who goes here and there weeping, carrying his bag of seed, Shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.” NASB

OBSERVATION: Have you ever experienced a wonderful time of victory in your life only to turn the corner and face an immense challenge that you did not expect? When this happens it is easy to wonder – “Did I do something wrong?”, or “Did I miss God’s voice?”.

The Psalms are filled with many helpful reflections when we experience such turns of events in our life. One particular Psalm that speaks so profoundly to this human experience is Psalms 126. This is a Psalm of Ascent. It was a Psalm that was sung as Jews from outlying areas traveled to Jerusalem during Festivals to gather at the Temple and offer their sacrifices.

The Psalm begins with a recount of the great victory the Lord had brought to the Jewish people when He restored them from captivity and allowed them to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple.

• “When the Lord brought back the captives 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 joyful.” Psalms 126:1-3 NASB

Do you remember that moment when the Lord answered your prayers and you experienced the breakthrough in life that you had been hoping and praying for? Your heart was filled with such joy. You shared this great joy with others and you felt the presence of the Lord in a way that you had not felt it for a long time. This was such a wonderful season in your life. You prayed that it would never end.

Then it happened – the wonderful springs of rejoicing turned into a barren desert as you faced an unspeakable challenge that you did not expect!

The Psalmist refers to this as the Negev (the South). The Negev was a desert region that was South of Israel. During most of the year, it stood barren, with limited vegetation, and dry rocky stream beds (or wadis). It was as if the Psalmist was moving from a beautiful paradise filled with rivers and lush vegetation to a place of rocks and sand that was devoid of beauty.

This is the way life can seem at times. One moment it is the flower garden. Then unexpectantly it becomes a desert filled with rocks and sand. When we face these difficult times in life – has God left us? Have we done something wrong? Are we without hope? The Psalmist does not leave us in the desert – he brings us hope and the pathway to restoration!

• “Those who sow in tears shall harvest with joyful shouting. One who goes here and there weeping, carrying his bag of seed, Shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.” Psalms 126:5-6 NASB

A wonderful thing happens in the Negev region each year. When the rains come something wonderful happens. The dry spring beds are filled with water. Underground wells of water are replenished and restored. And, the dry desert land becomes an oasis filled with flowering plants and a host of wildlife that come to bask in its glory.

In life, the rain that replenishes the dry barren ground of our hearts is our tears as we pour out our hearts before God. The seed we sow is the Word of God as we meditate upon and proclaim His promises. As we position our lives in humility and surrender before the Lord we experience His faithful restoration and the blossoming of new hope for the future. Peter reminds us of this in his epistle.

• “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you…And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 5:6-7,10-11 NASB

God is faithful and He will restore our hope! He will bring springs of water to our dry and weary hearts. Although life changes – He never changes. He remains our Savior, Baptizer in the Holy Spirit, Healer, and Soon Coming King! As we abide in His love, as we sow our seed with our tears, we will indeed come again with shouts of joy bringing in the harvest of His faithfulness and provision.

Paul reminds us of the power of God’s love. There is nothing in this life that can separate us from it. No matter what we face – we are anchored securely in His love!

• “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 NASB

Are you facing an unexpected challenge? Do you find yourself in a desert place? Pour out your heart toward the Lord. Water His promises with your tears and call upon His Name. His answer is already coming. A time of refreshing and harvest will spring forth from His faithful and unchanging love!

• “Those who sow in tears shall harvest with joyful shouting. One who goes here and there weeping, carrying his bag of seed, Shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.” Psalms 126:5-6 NASB

In Jesus’ Name!