Like Those Who Dream

Psalm 126:1-6

Message No. 0701 | Twitter @GodandUs | www.wisdom-speaks.ca

In the television series, Banged Up Abroad, I watched the harrowing episodes of people who were arrested or kidnapped in foreign countries, and who underwent unimaginable living conditions behind bars, or in the hands of their kidnappers. Just by watching some episodes, you will likely not wish such experiences for your enemies. Luckily, each episode of the TV series was about those who had either been released and deported back to their home countries, or those who escaped from their captors.

Living in captivity or under conditions of distress is never a good thing. The nation of Israel has undergone several episodes of untold distress in their history. First, they were in Egyptian slavery for 430 years, until God sent Moses to deliver them. After their arrival in the Promised Land, they were taken captive by Babylon for 70 years, and more recently, the story of what happened during the holocaust has not ceased to hunt those who experienced it and those who heard or read the story.

Life is filled with ups and downs and Christians are not always exempted from what is going on around them. This is the reason Jesus said in this life we will have tribulation, but we should be of good cheer because He has already overcome for us. This does not take the pain away when we experience the troubles. We will still fill pain when we lose loved ones or lose a job or property or some other assets. The prayer of everyone is that these periods are short and that our standard deviation is as close as possible to zero (apologies for the statistics).

One of the best ways to cope in difficulties is to reflect on what God has done in the past. When in a new set of difficulties in Psalm 126, verses 1 – 6, Israel recalled what God did to deliver them from Babylonian captivity. In verses 1 – 3, the Bible says:

When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, And our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us, And we are glad.

There was massive joy when God brought Israel back from this captivity to the extent that other nations around them noticed it and confessed that the Lord had done great things for them, so it is understandable that this deliverance will be unforgettable in their history.

In all, if we are going through periods of downtime or difficulties, we must know that this is not forever. Writing to the Christians who were undergoing periods of persecution in Asia Minor, Peter, who was a direct witness of Jesus’ ministry, encouraged them thus in 1 Peter 5:10:

But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.

This means that God is capable of turning our mourning into dancing. Sending words of comfort to the remnants of Judah who came back from an exile, God delivered the words through prophet Haggai in Haggai 2:9:

'The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,' says the LORD of hosts. 'And in this place, I will give peace,' says the LORD of hosts."

If you are going through difficulties, please know that our God is standing right there with you, to strengthen you and to help you overcome it all. And when all is done, may your testimony be that the glory of the latter house is far greater than the former, in Jesus’ name. May the Lord establish you and may the restoration be so huge that you will be like those who dream. May the Lord bless you, and keep you, and make His Face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you. May He lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace (Numbers 6:24-26).

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 Lord I know that I am a sinner and I am unable to save myself. I am sorry for my sins and I pray that you please forgive me. I am aware that Your Son Jesus died for my sins and I accept Him as my Lord and savior. I surrender my life unto you from this moment. Please take control of my entire being and help me to be obedient to your Word, going forward. Thank you, Lord, for hearing me. I have prayed in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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