SCRIPTURE
Psalm 126 (NRSV)
When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion,
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.
DEVOTION
Someone once said, "It is always darkest before the dawn."
It sounds like some sweet colloquialism meant to offer us false hope in times of sorrow, grief, or despair. But, having lived through some dark, dark nights of the soul, I can bare witness to the fact that this statement is very, very true.
I can only imagine what the world was like after so many years of silence regarding Messiah. Was it dark? Had people lost hope? Were they fumbling through life hoping, but not really believing that he would come?
And then one glad day a baby's cries rang out from a barn in Bethlehem and everything changed! The dawn broke for all of humanity. Angels, shepherds, and wise ones heralded the birth of a new king, one who would "restore the fortunes of Zion, fill our mouths with laughter, and our tongues with shouts of joy!"
Advent is all about the transition from the darkest of night, to the bright light of the dawn.
No matter what you may be going through, you must remember that God has not forgotten you. No matter how long you have been waiting "on a word from the Lord," you are not forsaken. No matter how alone you may feel at this moment, God is as near to you as the beat of your heart or the breath in your lungs.
God loves you. God is for you. God has a good plan for you. It may be dark right now, but the dawn is coming!
Soon your tears will turn to laughter and your weeping become shouts of joy! Soon the same folks who comforted you when you were afflicted, will rejoice as you share your good news testimony, "The Lord has done great things for me!"
Be encouraged beloved ones. The dawn is coming. The dawn has come. The dawn is coming once again...
PRAYER
Dear Lord, please help me to hold out believing that my change will come! Amen...
Showing posts with label Psalm 126. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Psalm 126. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
The Lord Has Done Great Things!
SCRIPTURE
Psalm 126 (NRSV)
Prayer for restoration
When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
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.
DEVOTION
When I was growing up, one of the things I loved most about worship was “testimony time!”
When we did this, a Christian would stand up and give glory to God by sharing with the church family how God had blessed their lives.
I was taught that giving your testimony in church—or elsewhere—should not be a form of bragging, but rather a means of encouraging others to trust in God.
I have heard countless testimonies all around the country and every time I hear a believer praising God for a miraculous deliverance, I get happy-glad inside.
In my tradition we have an expression that explains my giddiness. We say, “If God did it for me, God can surely do it for you!”
In today’s Bible passage the psalmist says, “When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, 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.”
Hallelujah!
I don’t know about you, but I’ve been up and I’ve been down, but God has never left me, forsaken me, or abandoned me to my sin.
Every time I have ever imagined that I was truly sunk, God has always been there to throw me a lifeline of love, mercy, and grace.
I believe that there is someone in each of our lives who needs to hear our testimonies! Each of us has a family member, friend, co-worker, or neighbor who needs to know that God loves them so much that God gave Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life.
In this CHRISTmas season, we have the perfect opportunity to share the good news about Jesus! As we see our neighbors trimming their trees, stringing the lights, and hanging the holly, we can humbly and graciously remind them of the true meaning of CHRISTmas!
Advent means “to wait.”
We are waiting on the celebration of Jesus’ birthday on December 25th and we are waiting for Jesus’ sure return in glory on the day of God’s choosing.
But, dear friends, let us make our waiting active and not passive! We can actively wait by fasting, praying, reading scripture, testifying, and serving others in this holy season.
As we love people into the arms of Jesus, we will find that our time spent waiting, has been put to good use!
Lord, use us as instruments of your peace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
THE INVITATION
If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/03/come-to-jesus.html
Psalm 126 (NRSV)
Prayer for restoration
When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
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.
DEVOTION
When I was growing up, one of the things I loved most about worship was “testimony time!”
When we did this, a Christian would stand up and give glory to God by sharing with the church family how God had blessed their lives.
I was taught that giving your testimony in church—or elsewhere—should not be a form of bragging, but rather a means of encouraging others to trust in God.
I have heard countless testimonies all around the country and every time I hear a believer praising God for a miraculous deliverance, I get happy-glad inside.
In my tradition we have an expression that explains my giddiness. We say, “If God did it for me, God can surely do it for you!”
In today’s Bible passage the psalmist says, “When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, 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.”
Hallelujah!
I don’t know about you, but I’ve been up and I’ve been down, but God has never left me, forsaken me, or abandoned me to my sin.
Every time I have ever imagined that I was truly sunk, God has always been there to throw me a lifeline of love, mercy, and grace.
I believe that there is someone in each of our lives who needs to hear our testimonies! Each of us has a family member, friend, co-worker, or neighbor who needs to know that God loves them so much that God gave Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life.
In this CHRISTmas season, we have the perfect opportunity to share the good news about Jesus! As we see our neighbors trimming their trees, stringing the lights, and hanging the holly, we can humbly and graciously remind them of the true meaning of CHRISTmas!
Advent means “to wait.”
We are waiting on the celebration of Jesus’ birthday on December 25th and we are waiting for Jesus’ sure return in glory on the day of God’s choosing.
But, dear friends, let us make our waiting active and not passive! We can actively wait by fasting, praying, reading scripture, testifying, and serving others in this holy season.
As we love people into the arms of Jesus, we will find that our time spent waiting, has been put to good use!
Lord, use us as instruments of your peace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
THE INVITATION
If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/03/come-to-jesus.html
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