The joy of returning - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing,
majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of
him and what came to my mind and heart in Psalm 126:1-3,

When the Lord brought back the captives to Zion,
we were like men who dreamed.
Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
"The Lord has done great things for them."
The Lord has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.

One of the "songs of ascents", thought to be sung by the sojourners
who returned to Jerusalem three times a year for the appointed feasts
the Lord placed on their calendar that called for their gathering,
Psalm 126 is one of many that was to be sung as they made their way up
to Jerusalem. The psalm captures the joy and unmistakable
acknowledgement and appreciation for all the Lord had done for captive
Jews. The psalm recalls these captives returning to their intended
homeland the Lord had provided them - a homeland they had lost due to
their own sinful choices in rejecting their God - and now God has made
a way for their return.

I can't help but see in this psalm the joy, the acknowledgement, and
the heartfelt appreciation that will be expressed by the Lord's people
as they enter into the resurrection at the end of the age as family
members with Jesus Christ in his kingdom. One day all who have
embraced Jesus Christ in faith will experience that joy of return. A
return to what God originally intended for us in the garden of Eden.
Just as the Jewish captives who returned to Zion, made possible by the
God they had once turned their back on, so we will return to what God
designed for us, made possible by the very same God we had turned our
back on in sinful rebellion.

As we return, I can't help but think the angels will proclaim, "The
Lord has done great things for them." Peter tells us, "Even angels
long to look into these things." 1 Peter 1:12. The way of return to
the Lord has been made for us through Jesus Christ, who said, "I am
the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except
through me." John 14:6.

Pretty exciting to think of, wouldn't you say? I am certain we will be
"like men who dreamed. Our mouths... filled with laughter, our tongues
with songs of joy."

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share
your thoughts of worship from your Bible reading today. I'd love to
hear from you!

Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com