December 9, 2022
Psalm 126 Intern Bridget
“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.”
~ Psalm 126
In this psalm, the psalmist is both celebrating what the Lord has done for the Israelites by bringing them out of exile in Babylon and asking God to continue to bless them “like the watercourses in the Negeb” which is a semi-arid place in Israel. Have you ever seen a desert after it has received rain? The normally sandy and drab looking space is now bright and colorful, seemingly more alive.
This year has probably seemed like a dry and dusty desert at times. There have been a lot of unknowns and things that are just down right not the same. We haven’t been able to see family members and friends in person for a while, everything is online, and while we know that it is getting closer, the end still isn’t in sight. That seems like a dry and dusty desert to me.
However, God has restored our fortunes. We may not be able to see people face to face, but we can still keep in touch using other means of communication. Being online has opened up new possibilities for people. I was able to be at part of the Zoom Fellowship Hour almost every Sunday and be able to feel connected to my church community even though I am in South Carolina. Just like deserts after rain, through God, our lives can be bright and colorful.
God of Rain, you restore us with your goodness. Help us to remember that you are always with us, so that we may go forth to share the great things that you have done. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
