Psalm 126:2

Psalm 126:2

The Lord has done great things for them

Can you imagine the atmosphere as the returning Jewish exiles made their first pilgrimages back to the city of Jerusalem? Many had “come home” from Babylon fearing the worst. A whole generation had passed since they were last in the land, few remembered the festival occasions and the sense of community and also the holy wonder when the ascent to Jerusalem took place. The old songs had to be retaught, and the new ones learned. The musicians had to re-learn the words and tunes that their ancestors had known so well. The Levites and priests had spent hours diligently pouring over their ceremonial roles and practicing their different responsibilities. When the great days came, the crowds ascended with laughter and they sang, as never before, the Songs of Zion; the songs that exalted their God and that restored their place as His Chosen ones. 

The effect was two-fold, the Jews danced and sang for joy, the rest of the world looked on and pondered. Word got around, “Their God has redeemed them again. They are back in their land. Jerusalem is being rebuilt. The exiles are reclaiming their heritage, and the Lord is working with them. What kind of God is this? Our gods do not renew and restore as He does, nor do they reinstate a barren land to one that again flows with milk and honey.” Remember that the nations had forgotten about the prosperity and influence of the Jewish people too. They had got on with their business, a generation of them had also passed away and now they were seeing the miracle of Israel flourishing once more.

This is our God. He turns death to life, despair to hope, wastelands to fruitfulness, and a broken people into those who laugh and rejoice at His goodness. That is our God! Hallelujah!

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