Midweek Encouragement 6/26/24 - Hope
Greetings church family!
I have been (re)pondering Psalm 126 recently and have created a resource for reflection and prayer in the midst of life droughts. Take some time and reflect on the Scriptures provided and consider that God invites you to share your frustrations, concerns, pain, with Him. He is faithful to walk with you!
What are the Songs of Ascents?
Some believe that the fifteen psalms are representative of the fifteen steps leading up to the temple in Jerusalem. Most scholars, though, believe that the ascent is referring to the Israelites pilgrimage during the three annual feasts (see Deuteronomy 16:16). Jerusalem, positioned on a hill, meant that any surrounding villagers would have to be “going up” in order to worship at the temple. Others also see this as an ascent back to Jerusalem from exile.
Their pilgrimage that they took 3 times a year was a way to engage all of their senses so as to remind themselves of where they had come from and and where they had arrived as God’s people. These pilgrimages created time to focus, remember, and then hope!
Today we are going to join the Israelites in their pilgrimage to the temple. First by looking back.
Psalm 126:1-3
1 When the Lord restored the fortunes (God’s favor) of Zion (Jerusalem),
we were like those who dream.
2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then they said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us;
we are glad.
REMEMBER - For just a moment recount where you have observed the faithfulness of God in your life. In prayer thank God for His faithfulness.
Psalm 126:4
4 Restore our fortunes (God’s favor), O Lord,
like streams in the Negeb (means dry land)!
Negeb = seasons of drought with dry and cracked river beds
RECOGNIZE - Identify an area or situation in your life that needs restoration.
Psalm 126:5
5 Those who sow in tears
shall reap with shouts of joy!
REQUEST- For just a moment consider your current pressing issue of concern. Lift it to God in prayer.
Know that God can see you in your current situation and is with you.
Psalm 56:8-11
8 You have kept count of my tossings;
put my tears in your bottle.
Are they not in your book?
9 Then my enemies will turn back
in the day when I call.
This I know, that God is for me.
10 In God, whose word I praise,
in the Lord, whose word I praise,
11 in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.
What can man do to me?
REFLECT AND REST - Abide in the vine of Christ Jesus.
John 15:1-10
1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
Jeremiah 17:7-8
7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
whose trust is the Lord.
8 He is like a tree planted by water,
that sends out its roots by the stream,
and does not fear when heat comes,
for its leaves remain green,
and is not anxious in the year of drought,
for it does not cease to bear fruit.”
RESOUND - Posture your heart and mind to trust that God is at work and praise Him for going ahead of you.
Psalm 126:6
6 He who goes out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
bringing his sheaves with him.
I can sorrowfully sow in faith because He is faithful and I believe that joy can be restored in and through Christ Jesus.
I have been (re)pondering Psalm 126 recently and have created a resource for reflection and prayer in the midst of life droughts. Take some time and reflect on the Scriptures provided and consider that God invites you to share your frustrations, concerns, pain, with Him. He is faithful to walk with you!
What are the Songs of Ascents?
Some believe that the fifteen psalms are representative of the fifteen steps leading up to the temple in Jerusalem. Most scholars, though, believe that the ascent is referring to the Israelites pilgrimage during the three annual feasts (see Deuteronomy 16:16). Jerusalem, positioned on a hill, meant that any surrounding villagers would have to be “going up” in order to worship at the temple. Others also see this as an ascent back to Jerusalem from exile.
Their pilgrimage that they took 3 times a year was a way to engage all of their senses so as to remind themselves of where they had come from and and where they had arrived as God’s people. These pilgrimages created time to focus, remember, and then hope!
Today we are going to join the Israelites in their pilgrimage to the temple. First by looking back.
Psalm 126:1-3
1 When the Lord restored the fortunes (God’s favor) of Zion (Jerusalem),
we were like those who dream.
2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then they said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us;
we are glad.
REMEMBER - For just a moment recount where you have observed the faithfulness of God in your life. In prayer thank God for His faithfulness.
Psalm 126:4
4 Restore our fortunes (God’s favor), O Lord,
like streams in the Negeb (means dry land)!
Negeb = seasons of drought with dry and cracked river beds
RECOGNIZE - Identify an area or situation in your life that needs restoration.
Psalm 126:5
5 Those who sow in tears
shall reap with shouts of joy!
REQUEST- For just a moment consider your current pressing issue of concern. Lift it to God in prayer.
Know that God can see you in your current situation and is with you.
Psalm 56:8-11
8 You have kept count of my tossings;
put my tears in your bottle.
Are they not in your book?
9 Then my enemies will turn back
in the day when I call.
This I know, that God is for me.
10 In God, whose word I praise,
in the Lord, whose word I praise,
11 in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.
What can man do to me?
REFLECT AND REST - Abide in the vine of Christ Jesus.
John 15:1-10
1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
Jeremiah 17:7-8
7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
whose trust is the Lord.
8 He is like a tree planted by water,
that sends out its roots by the stream,
and does not fear when heat comes,
for its leaves remain green,
and is not anxious in the year of drought,
for it does not cease to bear fruit.”
RESOUND - Posture your heart and mind to trust that God is at work and praise Him for going ahead of you.
Psalm 126:6
6 He who goes out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
bringing his sheaves with him.
I can sorrowfully sow in faith because He is faithful and I believe that joy can be restored in and through Christ Jesus.
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