Joy in the Harvest (Revive Us Lord)

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Scripture: Psalm 126:4-6 (NIV)

4 Restore our fortunes Lord,

like streams in the Negev.

5 Those who sow with tears

will reap with songs of joy.

6 Those who go out weeping,

carrying seed to sow,

will return with songs of joy,

carrying sheaves with them.

 

Devotion:

            Psalm 126 verses 4-6 is really a dialog. First, in verse 4 the people cry out to God to restore their fortunes. Meaning that the people had somehow become lax in their devotion to God. They had great joy in returning to the promised land but somehow that joy had faded, and they were asking for God to rekindle their lagging faith.

            This is really a human trait. We as Christians are prone to that same decay of our love for the Lord. The Apostle John writes in Revelation 2:4 to the church at Ephesus the following: “4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the works you did at first.” (ESV) So all God’s children need to be aware of their devotion to the Lord. We must always seek to raise our spiritual temperature so that we will be fervent in our devotion to God.

            In verses 5-6 we have God’s answer to the people’s request. The Lord promises them that if they truly repent of their lack of love for Him then he will turn their sadness to joy. They will reap a great harvest of joy and peace watered by the tears of their repentance. It is indisputable that the pathway to great revival leads through a valley of repentance with tears shed over the many sins which people commit. This is the way to a vibrant life in God

            Even so today, with the worst of the pandemic hopefully in our rearview mirror, we are experiencing a time of spiritual lethargy in our churches. We have been burnt out by this raging illness that made us cover our faces and keep distant from our neighbors. This time of physical illness has had a profound effect on our spiritual lives. We sing “Joy to the World” but in our hearts there is a profound lack of joy.

            What can we do to bring back to us the joy of God’s salvation? We must pursue God with all our hearts. Seek his face with tears of repentance for our fear and anxiety over this pandemic. Ask him to give us courage to speak words of faith and comfort to our fear filled and anxiety ridden world. Petition the Lord to restore a supernatural joy and a peace that passes human understanding to our lives so that we can be a joyful and peace filled witness in the world. Let us go to God in prayer right now.

 

Prayer:

            Dear Lord, we come to your throne as a people who have allowed our fear and anxieties to overwhelm us. Give us courage to face this illness with faith in your care for us. Whether you protect us from this virus or not let us draw near to our ill neighbors. Help us to show the care and love you have shown us to our neighbors that your name might be praised. Lead us through repentance to revival that your name may be glorified. Amen.

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