Restore Our Fortunes, Lord

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Restore Our Fortunes, Lord

Date: Oct. 17, 2016

Passage

Psalm 126:1-6 (ESV)

A Song of Ascents.

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.

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 126:3

The LORD has done great things for us;
we are glad.

First, the Lord has done great things (1-3). When the people of God were sent into exile their fortunes and their prospects looked grim. They could see no hope of returning to Israel, and no hope for worshiping the Lord in his temple. But the Lord restored the fortunes of his people. He brought them back as he had promised. It was a dream come true. The people were filled with laughter and joy, and their sole source of joy was the Lord himself. In the same way Christians are those who were brought out of their captivity to sin, in which we are helpless, from the grim prospect of death to the joy of the hope of life. How great is the Lord. He is our source of joy and life; he has done great things for us.

Second, tears and joy (4-6). Our hope is in the Lord, who restores us in every way. This life is like a desert, where we often sow in tears. But our hope is in the Lord. He is the one who brings water to the desert and turns weeping into joy. He makes his people fruitful in their suffering. Our joy comes when we meet him there.

Prayer: Lord, restore the fortunes of your people. Turn our tears into joy.

One Word: Sow with tears; reap with joy

Worship Him Who is Forever and Ever

Revelation 4:1-11

Key Verse: 4:11

  “Worthy are you, our Lord and God,
    to receive glory and honor and power,
  for you created all things,
    and by your will they existed and were created.”

Today's Question

What introduces the ten commandments?

See answer and references