When the LORD changed Zion’s
circumstances for the better,
it was like we had been dreaming.
2 Our mouths were suddenly filled
with laughter;
our tongues were filled
with joyful shouts.
It was even said, at that time,
among the nations,
“The LORD has done great things
for them!”
3 Yes, the LORD has done great things for us,
and we are overjoyed.
4 LORD, change our circumstances
for the better,
like dry streams in the desert waste!
5 Let those who plant with tears
reap the harvest with joyful shouts.
6 Let those who go out,
crying and carrying their seed,
come home with joyful shouts,
carrying bales of grain!
(Psalm 126:1–6)
Good Day Family,
A Season of Praying
Prayer allows us to consider what God is capable of doing. It’s more than wishing, it’s a faithful expression of trust and hope to believe that God moves on our behalf. When we pray, we assert that God is able of changing what needs repair, restoration, or revision. I love the way this psalm begins. It sounds like the change has already taken place, but when you read forward, you notice that it was written as a prelude for the prayer asking for change.
This prayer found in Psalm 126 reminds us that we can anticipate that God will answer our prayers. It’s not taking a shot in the dark, it’s activating our relationship with the Creator of the Universe. It also encourages us to imagine what it will be like and, more importantly, what our response will be to answered prayer.
We have been praying for a cure, therapeutic, or vaccine for COVID-19 for most of this year. God is answering our prayer before our eyes, but this is no time to stop praying. If anything, we should pray as the psalmist does, with joyful anticipation of how we will rejoice in what God has done. This is testimony in advance, and that, I believe, is a good and holy thing.
As we remember that Christ entered the world in the form of a lowly baby, let us not forget that Christ continues to enter into our lives and our condition through the power of the Holy Spirit at work in people. We give thanks for all who continue to strive to see us through these challenging times, who are on the front lines, and who cry out to God, “Lord, change our circumstances for the better!”
In Joyful Anticipation,
Be well,
Pastor Cheryl
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