Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Times of Joy
We are told that our lives have seasons; a time to be born, a time to die; a time to weep, and a time to rejoice, etc. It is so much easier to be happy about the good times/seasons in our lives, but through this study we learn that it is through these difficult times that the Lord sifts us so that we can be better equipped to be used by Him, for our spiritual growth, and for His praise/glory. Through each of these seasons he is asking us to join Him as we BEGIN a new phase of our life with Him. No one enjoys difficult times but it is through them that we find ourselves fully invested in everything about Him, as He guides, directs and loves us through it. And it does have a conclusion! One that is at God's timing and for His purpose in our lives. Psalm 126 tells of the joy that is brought about by His restoration of Zion. It was such a wonderful thing for the people that it seemed as if it had been a dream and not reality. They are filled with laughter and shout with joy as to the Lord's goodness and mercy to them. They extol Him as the greatest among all the nations and tell of the good things He has done for them. They give Him praise. They look at the past, present but then look toward the future asking Him to continue to restore their fortunes just as the river of Negev flow so they ask their fortunes to continue. Do it again, Lord, they ask -- Do it again!! Boy, how many times do we have that same feeling!!! Though they had difficult times and had sown many tears they were now reaping joy and as the seed of sorrow was sown so now has the harvest of joy been reaped. They remembered the good time in the past and were asking God for those good times in the future. It was their hope that He would honor their request. Jeremiah 29:11 tells us of a promise that God gave to His people, assuring them of His plans for their good, not to harm them, but for them to prosper. This is one of my favorite passages of scripture and I hold on to that promise with all that I have! In those bad times, I can REMEMBER that promise and have HOPE! They remembered their deliverance and good fortune and gave their praise to God. So should we be very vocal in our praise to God for His deliverance and good fortunes He has provided for us. God is still in the same business! This is something that we are called to sow -- the Word! The message of HOPE! God is calling us to move on up the steps to Him -- are you ready? Sometimes we are fearful as to what it is that God desires but remember again Jeremiah 29:11. Blackaby stated in "Experiencing God" to find out where God is working and join Him there! Do we just want to devour the Seed/Word and never move toward true application of it in our lives? He is calling us to more than partaking of the Word but to be a participant in the plan He has for us -- one that is perfect, good, prosperous! Even into the unknown, but we know Who is with us there - surrounding us in His love and protection for His purpose/glory. Let's join!
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I can't help but think of Lane when I read this 126th Psalm. He inspired so many people, though no one more than me. His last years were so very difficult as his health made simply living each day a challenge. Things we take for granted doing without thinking, took great effort and help from others for him to do. Yet throughout every difficult setback he continued to shower love, kindness, forgiveness, and encouragement on everyone he came in contact with, while praising God for how good He is. Those who sow in tears WILL reap with shouts of joy. Lane blessed people with his love and concern and waited patiently, "carrying his bag of seed," to be able to “shout with joy and carry his sheaves”/harvest.
ReplyDeleteGoing through this past year, I too have clung to Jeremiah 29:11. I read it not long after Lane died and I wrote about it and I told everyone who would listen, of God's promise of a plan for my life that is for good not evil and a future of hope. Cling to the truth, not to the visual circumstances and know that God's Word is for our benefit and His glory. We must sow it and not eat it or throw it out. We must wait patiently to reap that harvest. We have been recipients over and over of His blessings and we must remember those and allow others to see what He has done. And then we must "live out" faith that He will again bring a harvest to us as we continue sowing even as we weep. For one day, this short time on earth will be over and we will see the most glorious harvest of all. I know it is awesome because I saw it in Lane's face when he got a glimpse as he passed from this life on to everlasting life to reap that beautiful harvest of blessing, living with our loving Father. I know he is shouting with joy and I pray that I will learn more and more how to sow and not eat the seed of God's Word. Sowing patiently, even if it is with weeping, until the appointed season of harvest.