WITH LAUGHTER AND SINGING

WITH LAUGHTER AND SINGING!

Ps 126:1-3

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.

           One of our young men has been dreading going to work for the last several days. The industry in which he works has seen a sharp downturn and co-workers have lost their jobs. He knew he was next in line for a lay off.

           Yesterday the boss called him in and said “there has been a change.” Instead of losing his job, our guy was given a promotion and a pay raise. Imagine the relief! Imagine the joy!

When Israel's rebellion became so great that the land itself was being defiled, God took them out of the land and sent them to Babylon for seventy years. Now they had been set free and they could not believe what was happening.

Why does God allow difficulty to come into our lives? It is either to show us who we are or to show us who God is. When we sin, God, after a patient waiting period, responds with chastisement. In our distress we learn who we have become and take steps to change. When God wants to reveal Himself to us He turns our mourning into laughter. We are then reminded of who God has always been.

Heb 13:20-21

20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

May the God of all mercy and grace turn your sorrow into laughter and singing. AMEN