The Great Joy of the LORD

​Psalm 126:1-3 ~ “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 they said among the nations, ‘The LORD has done great things for them.’ The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad.”
 
In the LORD there is fullness of joy. It is throughout the Scriptures that God would give great joy to those who trust in Him. Held captive in this world, it may seem that there is no release from the oppressions that happen against the saints of God. There are enemies from without and fears within, even as Paul said in 2 Corinthians 7:5, “For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn—fighting without and fear within.” How many reading this can think of some sin that has afflicted them and now they sense a great dismay within their own heart. Perhaps you can look back and see the times of great victories in your life and now you are bound in “Doubting Castle” under the grip of “Giant Despair” as described in John Bunyan’s tale, Pilgrim’s Progress.
 
Beloved, there is still great joy awaiting! We look at the first statement of this wonderful Psalm and read, “When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.” Imagine the captives of Israel returning to the land of promise. The LORD God had sent them into captivity for their idolatry and rebellion against Him. Scattered throughout Babylon, the people of God were a broken people filled with sorrow. Psalm 137:1 reads, “By the waters of Babylon, there we sat down and wept, when we remembered Zion.” However, their time of discipline had come to an end, the seventy years were over and they were restored to their homeland. Now, like people living a dream, they walked in the restoration of the LORD. Oh, how sin costs! It promises delight and provides dismay. Yet, our God of redemption is the LORD of restoration and He will raise up His children again to reestablish them in His promises. Isaiah 51:3 proclaims, “For the LORD comforts Zion; he comforts all her waste places and makes her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song.”
 
Dear ones, let the restoration of the LORD fill your voice with joy. Our text continues, “Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy.” Are you overcome with joy for the forgiveness of your sins? Then let your mouth be filled with laughter, and no longer mourn over what God has forgiven. Let your tongue proclaim with shouts of joy that Jesus is your redeemer! You may have been captive in all manner of darkness, but the LORD who saves will save to the uttermost. Hebrews 7:25 declares, “Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” The LORD was angry with His people and sent them into captivity. Yet the God of heaven is rich with mercy and full of compassion. Psalm 30:5 says, “For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” Where they wept by the waters of Babylon, now they shout for joy at their return to the promised land. Have you wept over your sin? Has the sorrow of heart brought you into confession and repentance? Then, my friends, look up to the LORD and receive from Him the promised grace that flows from His generous heart.
 
And fear not that the world around you will take note of your restored joy. We read the final statement of our text today, “then they said among the nations, ‘The LORD has done great things for them.’ The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad.” Let it be said of the church in this age of sin that we stand in the jubilant redemption of Christ Jesus our LORD. When despair clouds their eyes and darkness shadows the way before them, let us walk in the light and give no room for doubts. It should be that the world looks at the children of God in Christ and sees in us the hope of everlasting life in Jesus. Consider the response of the cripple, healed at the gates of the temple. “And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God” (Acts 3:8). Through Christ we have been healed of a far greater malady—the sin that separated us from Him.
 
Psalm 16:11 says, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” This is the promise given to all who are in Christ. You, dear saint, can live in the great joy of the LORD.
 
In His Grace,
Pastor Michael 

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