We Are Glad!
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Speaker: Wendell Stoltzfus
Scripture: Psalm 126
April 2, 2023
Psalm 126: 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 they said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
The Lord has done great things for us;
we are glad.
Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
like streams in the Negeb!
Those who sow in tears
shall reap with shouts of joy!
He who goes out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
bringing his sheaves with him.
Sermon Outline
Introduction: "He never committed a pleasure"
Ellen Glasgow's father
Martin Luther's colleague
1. We are glad! (v. 3b)
Psalm 126 is a Luther-type psalm
In the Bible, the chief characteristic of the Christian pilgrimage is gladness and joy
Not the gladness of lightheartedness
2. Joy past (vv. 1-3a)
In the OT, there are many times where God restored His people in hopeless situations
The ultimate fulfillment of these verses comes later, with Christ
3. Joy future (vv. 4-6)
In this psalm, two images express the joy or anticipation in a seemingly hopeless situation
The joy of anticipating what God is going to do -- based on what God has already done -- comes in the context of the pain, suffering, loneliness, of life in this fallen world
4. Conclusion: Joy present
First Application: Psalm 126 teaches us how to read the Bible
Second Application: A thought exercise
Think of a giant scale
On one side, put all of your stinking circumstances
On the other side, put all that God has done for you in Jesus Christ
See which side outweighs the other
Consider that all the stuff on the hardship side is part of your preparation for God's eternal kingdom
The Verdict found in God's Word
Romans 8:18: For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
