LIKE THEM THAT DREAM!

LIKE THEM THAT DREAM!

Ps 126

126 When the Lord  turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.

2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord  hath done great things for them.

3 The Lord  hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.

4 Turn again our captivity, O Lord , as the streams in the south.

5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

Isa 44:24-28

24 Thus saith the Lord , thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the Lord  that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;

25 That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish;

26 That confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers; that saith to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited; and to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed places thereof:

27 That saith to the deep, Be dry, and I will dry up thy rivers:

28 That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.

          Isaiah prophesied that Cyrus would release the Jews from captivity and allow them to return home to rebuild and resettle Jerusalem. Cyrus gave this decree in 537 B.C. but on the day the captives heard it – it was like a dream! Their joy could not be contained and those who saw and heard their rejoicing declared “the Lord hath done great things for them!” So it is when God brings about a long-awaited deliverance. We can’t believe that it is real! Our joy overflows! Others see it and God is glorified.

          Once the Jews arrive back in the city they found that it wasn’t the same as when they left it. Time did not stop when they were carried away and then resume when they returned. The city had suffered during the captivity and repairs needed to be made. Life is so arranged that we often must make new beginnings. When that happens God gives us special encouragements so that we can adjust to the new normal.

          Have you been in some kind of personal “captivity?” Has the old “normal” been turned upside down and you are now trying to make your way through a maze of confusion and disappointment? Wait patiently for God! He will turn your captivity and restore you – but you might have to begin again with a new set of circumstances. You might have to adjust to a new normal.

          Life is full of surprises! God may soon present you with a new set of circumstances. These might be different from the old, but so wonderful as to make you think it is just a dream. God is able to “raise up the decayed places.” (Isaiah 44:26) Trust Him! Wait for Him! While you wait – dream!

Dear Lord, someone is waiting for you to deliver them from their present circumstances. Please make their new beginnings so wonderful that it will seem like a dream. Make their joy so full that others will see it and glorify you. AMEN