Psalm
126 reminds me of the quote by James Agee, “You can never go home
again”. The home of our youth no longer exists, it lives only in
our dreams, but aren’t reunions amazing! Certain smells will
flashback to those times and places. Fresh cut grass, honeysuckle, a
chlorine pool, or a freshly turned garden can awaken thoughts in our
mind. This psalm begins, “When
the
Lord
brought back the captives to Zion, we were
like
men who dreamed… mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with
songs of joy“. In the
history of Israel, there have been a number of re-gatherings, when
the people returned to the Promised Land. But there is also a
spiritual return to Zion, a place where the skeptic is reborn and the
wounded are restored. I have been to that place, a place where the
very presence of God envelopes and whispers, “Welcome Home”. I
believe this is only a hint of Heaven. He writes, “We
are filled with joy… Restore our fortunes, O Lord… Those who sow
in tears
will
reap with songs of joy“.
I do not know what baggage you carry today, but here is a picture of
this promise, “He
who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of
joy, carrying sheaves with him“.
God will exchange your tears and seeds for the fulfillment of
abundant life. There is a reunion planned and you are invited. Will
you accept?
Psalm
127 is realization that too many have experienced. The psalmist
writes, “Unless
the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain“.
A beautiful house is not the same thing as a beautiful home. I do
not know how to make a harmonious home without God at the center. He
adds, “In
vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling“.
“In vain” means, without substance. Having lots of stuff can
still leave us empty. It is like the living room filled with
furniture covered in plastic. No one uses it, so what is the
purpose? I hope your furniture is well-used. The rest of the psalm
is a source of joy to some and pain to others. “Sons
[children]
are a heritage from the Lord… Like arrows in the hands of a
warrior… Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them“.
Does this mean that the childless are cursed? CERTAINLY NOT, God
does not curse anyone. The point of the verse is to remind us that
parents only have temporary stewardship of their children, they
belong to God. We are to train and sharpen them and shoot them
carefully on to their own purpose. Every one of us can help shape
the young people in our life.
Psalm
128 binds the lesson together, “Blessed
are all who fear the Lord, who walk in His ways“.
Listen to the benefits included, “fruit
of your labor… prosperity… a fruitful vine… Thus is the man
blessed
who
fears the Lord“. If
your only focus is on your own pleasure, you will end up
disappointed. Amazingly, when your focus is on honoring God, you
will also be filled with unexpected joys. Jesus said, “But
seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things
will be given to you as well”
(Matthew
6:33). He closes with a
prayer, “May
the Lord bless you from Zion all the days of your life“,
and may God be at the center of your home today and forever. I hope
to see you at the reunion!