Joy Is At Hand – Psalm 126

A text – Psalm 126

126:1 When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.
126:2 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.”
126:3 The LORD has done great things for us, and we rejoiced.
126:4 Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like the watercourses in the Negeb.
126:5 May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy.
126:6 Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves.

A reflection:

This psalm is about God reversing a situation for Israel. They were in trouble, and then they were not. They were in exile, and then they were brought home. They were crying, and then they were laughing and shouting for joy. God was their deliverer, and they were praising God.

When have you been in a dire or depressing situation and then experienced being saved or coming out of the woods? What is that feeling like? The memory of the awfulness is barely out of reach, but the joy, almost giddiness of being free is nearer, and nearer, and then here.

I recently watched a video of a giant condor, the largest bird in the world, who had been injured, and found, and healed, and then turned loose up on a mountaintop. The bird came out of a large crate, and the humans immediately stepped back, not knowing exactly what he would do. He was so huge! He paced back and forth, he stood and spread his wings several times, he paced again and moved his wings again, either in disbelief that he was finally free to do so, or in a desire to simply move the muscles and have the feel of those muscles engaged and working for the first time in a long time. At last he took off.

If you have ever been freed from something oppressive, you may also have paced around for awhile. The rejoicing may not be immediate. But when someone during this Advent season tells you to have hope, to rejoice, please take them seriously and get to the rejoicing part as soon as you can. Get to the twinkle in your eye, and share the twinkle with a child you know. That twinkle means that full rejoicing is but a moment away and joy is at hand.

A prayer:

Lord God, Thank you for loving us. Thank you for letting us out of the darkness and bringing us into the light. Remind us that joy is at hand, and not to deliberately stay in darkness, ever. You, Holy God, are our joy, and you are always with us. Amen.