It’s Tuesday and time for your daily devotional. Have you ever returned from a long trip and felt joy just by being home again? After returning to Jerusalem from seventy years of exile, the Israelites were overcome with gladness. In today’s daily devotional, maybe you’ve felt far from God; rejoice in the restoration He brings to your soul.
No Place Like Home
Psalm 126 was sung in celebration of God’s people’s liberation from seventy years of captivity. Nebuchadnezzar had ransacked Jerusalem and taken the majority of them across the desert to Babylon. There they were exposed to a different culture with different customs and religious beliefs. When Darius the Mede reigned, he authorized their release to return and rebuild Jerusalem. In verse 1, they were so overwhelmed with joy; it felt like a dream.
They praised God for turning their captivity around. Darius signed the decree, but it was God who set things in motion. Coming home was a joyous dream that had finally become a reality. In your daily devotional, there’s a saying that there’s no place like home. Zion was their earthly home, yet an ultimate home awaits us all.
Mighty God
Verse 2 exclaims, “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.” In the Lord’s house, laughter and singing express delight. Lifting their voices in this Song of Ascent filled the pilgrims with the joy of the ancient Israelites. Even the heathen witnessing Israel’s return proclaimed the greatness of Israel’s God. In this daily devotional, when the Lord does great things for you, it’s evident to others that you serve a Mighty God.
He Makes You Glad
They proclaim in verse 3 that God has done great things for them, for which they are glad. There’s a praise song that says, “I will rejoice for He has made me glad.” When the Lord does good things for you, let rejoicing and gladness fill your soul, as this releases your faith.
Weeping endures for only a night, but His joy comes in the morning. The Babylonians tried to take away Israel’s identity, but they never lost sight of their God. In your daily devotional, praise is becoming to the upright; celebrate His goodness and mercy.
Reap in Joy
Verse 5 states, “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.” Tears reveal a contrite heart. When you sow seeds in tears, you’ll reap an abundant harvest. In Matthew 5:4, Jesus says, “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” In this daily devotional, crying out to God means your tears aren’t wasted, for He hears and answers prayer.
Psalm 34:17 declares, “The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.” In Psalm 56:8, David prayed God would bottle his tears and record them in His book. In your daily devotional, your tears are precious to God. Your faith moves God, and your tears are your heart’s cry. Cry out to Him in faith.
His Joy is Your Strength
Verse 6 declares, “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” Your tears aren’t in vain, for God hears the brokenhearted. Let your tears lead you to the joy of the Lord. For His joy is your strength. In today’s daily devotional, when you cry out to Him in faith, He turns the tables, bringing healing and restoration to your soul.
