SERVICES: SATURDAY 6PM | SUNDAY 9AM & 10:45AM. 

We Livestream at www.FaithFellowshipWeb.com/livestream, through the FFC App, and YouTube.

Joy of Restoration

Joy of Restoration

Words of Faith 12-14-18

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2018

Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com

Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><

 

Luke 19:28 

       After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.

 

       The climb up the final road to Jerusalem was a rise of 3500 feet in elevation over about twenty miles.  It was a climb of contemplation and prayer as pilgrims approached the city of God.  As Jesus crested each dusty hill, the Psalms of ascent marked the movement toward the Temple in degrees.  Psalm 120 Calling upon the Lord.  121 was Lifting my eyes to Him.  122 was Rejoicing with those who go up to worship.  123 was Humility before the Lord in asking for mercy. 124 was Remembrance of the faithfulness of God over generations.  125 was Trust and Peace.  The seventh vista is the Joy of Restoration.

 

Psalm 126

    When the Lord brought back the captives to Zion,

        we were like men who dreamed.

    [2] Our mouths were filled with laughter,

        our tongues with songs of joy.

    Then it was said among the nations,

        "The Lord has done great things for them."

    [3] The Lord has done great things for us,

        and we are filled with joy.

    [4] Restore our fortunes, O Lord,

        like streams in the Negev.

    [5] Those who sow in tears

        will reap with songs of joy.

    [6] He who goes out weeping,

        carrying seed to sow,

    will return with songs of joy,

        carrying sheaves with him.

 

         This Psalm recalls a very special joy.  This is the vista of JOY that comes to those who are returning to God from captivity or exile to find His restoration.  One of the journeys up the hill toward Jerusalem was different than all the others. 

        In 538 B.C. the people of Judah returned to Jerusalem after 48 years spent exiled to Babylon.  This Psalm remembers the experience of the exiles coming back to the Promised Land and finding the favor of God after having experienced His punishment.  There was an unspeakable JOY in the time of restoration.  Those who went out weeping returned with songs of joy.  The Jewish people never forgot this joy.  As a people they remembered it centuries later.

        The Hebrew word used here for restoration is a rich one.  Shuwb (shoob) means to "turn back" with the idea of returning to the starting point.  The verb has many layers but primarily means to "lodge again.”  The word has an element of rejoicing and weeping because of a homecoming.  It also means to gain a recompense for what was lost.  The restoration of the Lord is a wonderful thing that causes an unspeakable joy.

        Part of the Good News of scripture is that the Lord is the God of restoration.  Discipline that is righteous always invites restoration.  A loving parent will invite an embrace and even a celebration with a child following strong discipline.  This is a restoration that comes with a tearful sort of joy.  The Psalmist describes an indescribable joy and even a laughter from within that comes with the restoring work of God in our lives.  God not only brings us back to where we were, He gives a recompense.  He restores that which was lost during the years of discipline.

        The Exiles returned to Jerusalem under Zerubabel and Nehemiah.  The rebuilding of the Temple and the walls of the city was very difficult but the Scripture says that the joy of the Lord was their strength.  God was with them.

          God is so good.  He not only forgives us, He restores us.  He rebuilds us.  And the very experience of His restoring love causes us to laugh.

 

         Father God, thank You for reminding me of Your restoring love.  Thank You for Your faithfulness to discipline those you love and restore those You discipline.  Thank You for calling me back home to You with Joy.  May Your Joy be my strength.  In Jesus' name.