The Lord Has Done Great Things For Us
At times, it seems we can be forgetful when it comes to God’s work in our lives. We face challenges that don’t go our way, seasons that are difficult to walk through, or times when God feels distant. In these moments, our thoughts often turn inward: How could this be happening to me? Lord, do you see the distress I am in? Do you see my tears?
Recently, I read Psalm 126 and was struck by its simple reminder to recognize that the Lord is good and that we should be glad because of His provision.
Psalm 126 – A Song of Ascents (ESV)
[1] When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dream.
[2] 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.”
[3] The LORD has done great things for us;
we are glad.
[4] Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
like streams in the Negeb!
[5] Those who sow in tears
shall reap with shouts of joy!
[6] He who goes out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
bringing his sheaves with him.
As you read this psalm, consider three key points:
1. Be overwhelmed by God’s goodness
Verse 1 describes how, when the Lord blessed Israel, they felt as though they were dreaming. His goodness to them was so overwhelming that they thought they needed to be pinched to make sure it was real. Could it be that God’s goodness to you has become almost routine? That you expect it or that it no longer surprises you? Pray that the Lord would give you a fresh perspective on His goodness, so that you may experience Him anew.
2. Let others see your gladness
In verse 2, the overwhelming goodness of God results in laughter and shouts of joy. These are natural postures of worship, arising in response to the Lord. The result is that those around us can see the source of our joy. Sometimes, I am tempted to take credit for the blessings in my life, but the psalm concludes that others recognize it is the Lord who has done great things. Where do you need to reorient your worship, actions, or words to reflect your understanding that God is the source of your blessings?
If it’s hard to think of moments of joy, consider this list:
The joy of salvation
The joy of spiritual victory in your life
The joy of Christian fellowship
The joy of a new work for God
3. Don’t waste moments of sorrow
At the end of this psalm, the people plead with the Lord to restore their fortunes, acknowledging that they are in a moment of suffering. The psalm teaches that joy is often produced through sorrow. The joy that comes from the Lord is not complete without the sorrows that precede it. If we sulk or dwell on difficult circumstances instead of trusting God, we waste the transformative potential of our hardships.
Followers of the Lord are called to continue sowing seeds of faithfulness even in sorrow: reading our Bibles, praying, making disciples, and serving God faithfully.
An illustration helps: consider exercising with weights. Picture a runner on a track dragging a parachute, or a batter swinging a weighted bat. It’s hard work, harder than it needs to be. But when the parachute is removed or the weight is lifted, movement becomes effortless.
The same is true for our spiritual lives. Pressing through sorrow strengthens us, preparing us to experience joy fully. When joy comes, we respond with shouts of gladness, recognizing God’s great works.
The ultimate fulfillment of this psalm is found in Jesus Christ. We deserved God’s wrath, yet Jesus bore sorrow on our behalf, so that we could experience His joy. His weeping on the cross is the ultimate sowing of tears, bringing about the ultimate harvest of joy. In Christ’s work on the cross, He has done great things for us. Are you glad?
