Psalm 126
1When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.
2Then 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.”
3The Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoiced.
4Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the watercourses in the Negeb.
5May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy.
6Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves.
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I love a good rainbow.
Psalm 126 is about those exiled from Jerusalem suddenly being able to return to their homeland after 70 years in Babylon. This is about hope, God’s enduring love, that there will once again be laughter and joy There is also validation of the suffering and sorrow during that time of trial and waiting. Psalm 126 reminds us that faith is a worthy partner in the waiting.
This is so central to my Christian faith and the needed reminder when going through the hardest times of life, the scariest, the most unknown times. The times when we will return to ourselves—that home is always home and never the same. But God’s love and promise are always the same. Things will get better. Suffering will end. While there be no guarantee on time, there is guarantee on love, joy, and safety.
Prayer: Gracious God, thank you for your grace with us while we struggle to believe that we will laugh again and keep the embers of hope aglow in our hearts. In Jesus name we pray for all, Amen.
—Sarah Oman