Today’s passage: Psalm 126
Helpful thoughts:
- This psalm is written in a time for lament and hope for the mercies the nation of Israel had seen in past days.
- When God does great thing for His people and when His people remember to praise Him for it and follow hard after Him, the world notices.
- The Negeb is the dry desert southern region in Israel. The psalmist declares God’s good fortunes toward Israel would be like streams of water running through the desert.
Questions to consider:
- In what way do verses 5-6 make sense? When is it right to “sow in tears?” (James 4:8-10) How does godly grief over our sin result in joy?
- How does a passage like Philippians 3:14 help us to discern the “fortunes” we are inclined to desire in this life? What fortune did Israel often give up in order to chase after earthly fortunes when all the time, God was the giver of every good gift?
- How can the good fortune that you have been given be used so that the nations can see your laughter and joy in Christ?