How do you feel when you have lost something precious to you? Maybe you’ve lost your home, or a beloved person, or you have been forced to leave your homeland because of war or other difficult circumstances. The Jews were exiled to Babylon in about 586 B.C, where some felt lonely, abandoned, or confused as they lived among a people who did not worship the Only True God.
But after their captivity for about 70 years, king Cyrus allowed the Jews to be restored to their homeland and there was much rejoicing as they returned home. We can also celebrate and enjoy this kind of rejoicing when we have maybe failed to obey our Lord or made mistakes which we think He cannot forgive. When we come to Jesus in repentance, and He forgives us and restores our relationship with Him and makes us whole again, we can also celebrate in joy. Maybe Jesus restores lost possessions or brings us out of our own captivity of selfishness, pride, feelings of hopelessness, unbelief, or depression.
We can sing some Psalms along with those who returned from captivity. From Psalm 126 -> “When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. Then our mouths were filled with laughter, and our tongues with singing…The Lord has done great things for us; whereof we are glad…THEY THAT SOW IN TEARS SHALL REAP IN JOY. He that goes forth weeping, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”
Psalm 117 -> “Praise the LORD, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples.
For great is His love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!”
Blessed Heavenly Father, thank You that you restore us when we come to You and need Your touch in our lives. We give thanks to You for your love endures forever. Even though we walk in the midst of troubles, You preserve our lives precious Jesus. You fulfil your purposes for us. You hem us in behind and before. “If I rise on the wings of dawn and settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast.” [Psalm 139:9-10]
“I will make known Your faithfulness, known through all generations. I will declare that Your love stands firm forever, that You established Your faithfulness in heaven itself.” [Psalm 89:1b=2] We praise You Good Shepherd! “Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for He is our God and we are the people of His pasture, the flock under His care.” [Psalm 95:6-7]
Myrtle Turunen