Focus

Let yourself become open to God and the knowledge that comes from the Word. Ask God for peace at this time.

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Read

Psalm 126 (NRSV)
When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion,[a] we were like those who dream.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with shouts 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 rejoiced.
Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
like the watercourses in the Negeb.
May those who sow in tears
reap with shouts of joy.
Those who go out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
carrying their sheaves.

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Reflect

This is one of my absolute favorite Psalms. It begins by jubilantly recalling a time in the past when God restored the fortunes of the people of Israel. The Psalmist celebrates the laughter that filled each mouth and the joy that filled each heart, such joy that even the nations around Israel recognized the work God was doing for her.

However, the joy of such memories only lasts for the first three verses. At the beginning of verse four, the Psalmist makes it clear that the present time is nothing like the joy of the first half of the Psalm. The Psalmist implores God to “restore our fortunes, O LORD,” just as God had done before. Instead of laughter and shouts of joy, Israel is full of tears that flow and people who cannot control their weeping. Yet, the pain and sorrow of the present time cannot stop the Psalmist from remembering the times when God was good. When God made a way out of no way. In the midst of suffering, there is power in remembering.

The holiday season is surely a joyful one, yet for many, it is also a season of untold sorrow. Perhaps this is your first Christmas since your marriage ended, or maybe you just celebrated your first Thanksgiving since a loved one passed away. For too many of us, the holiday season represents the depression of the Psalmist. Whenever you feel the darkness of winter sorrow close in around you, remember. Remember the times when God lifted you out of the deep places of your life. Remember the times when you saw no way forward, and yet God made a way. To help you remember, write down a few joyful memories and keep them somewhere easily accessible. The tears that you have sown will be harvested as joy unspeakable. God has restored our fortunes before, and even when it seems impossible, never forget that God will restore our fortunes again.

 

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Pray

O God, remember your children. May the pain that we endure today be turned into rejoicing. In this holiday season, help us to remember the times when you made your presence known to us and help us to find your presence even in our darkness. Thank you for all that you have done for us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

Go with God!