“When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter and our tongue with shouts of joy; then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoiced. Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the watercourses in the Negeb. May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy. Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves.”

Psalm 126

This message from Pastor Kevin Myers explores the concept of true joy in the Christian life, revealing that it comes from trusting in God's restoration and hope, even amidst life's sorrows and challenges. We’re encouraged to remember the joy of salvation, magnify God's works, and continue sowing in faith, knowing that God's grace is sufficient and His joy will ultimately prevail.

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He Restored Our Fortunes

• Used 1,000 times in the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for “restore” means returning or turning back.
• It can mean a physical returning, like the Israelites from exile, but it could also mean a repentance of turning back to God or a reversal of circumstances. 
• How do we live this out? We recount our salvation.
• Only God rescues, saves, restores. What freedom we find because our salvation and growth does not depend on our own ability!
• The joy of the Lord comes from hope in him, not pride in ourselves.

He Filled Us With Joy

• You were meant to desire God’s joy.
• Joy is a fruit of the spirit, and scripture promises that following Jesus is full of joy.
• “I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” John 15:11

The Lord Has Done Great Things

• We are called to magnify the Lord, and we can never give him enough credit for all he has done.
• Magnifying the Lord expands our joy beyond our circumstances.
• Our joy is directly connected to how we perceive God.

He Will Restore Our Fortunes

• Psalm 126:4 speaks of a region called Negeb, where most of the year the land is dry. However, during rainy seasons, flash floods flood the dry riverbeds and transform the land.
• This is a picture of God’s revival, which can be poured out as suddenly and abundantly on us.
• “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.” John 16:24 
• We all have barren or dry areas of our lives, but we are invited to ask God for his transformation and restoration.

Go Out & Go Forward

• “My brothers and sisters, whenever you face various trials, consider it all joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance complete its work, so that you may be complete and whole, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4
• It may be tempting to lose momentum or give up, but this Psalm calls us to go out and see endurance produced in our lives.

Follow The True Sower

• Jesus was a man acquainted with sorrows, and we can trust him with the seeds and sorrows we carry.
• If you are carrying your seeds, you have an intention to plan them—not hold onto them.
• Our tears and trials are not wasted; they are seeds that will reap joy.
• “Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me.”‭‭John‬ ‭15‬:‭4‬ ‭

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DINNER PARTY QUESTIONS

1. How has God restored you through your salvation or your ongoing journey with him? Have you seen your tears turned to joy?
2. How can you practice magnifying the Lord in your daily life, especially during challenging times?
3. In what ways might you be trying to "fix" things before allowing yourself to feel and process emotions with God?
4. What does it mean to you to "follow the true sower," Jesus, in your life?

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