Shouts of Joy in Being Set Free!

Psalms 126:1-6

A Song of Ascents.

1 When the LORD brought back the captivity of Zion,
We were like those who dream.

2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
And our tongue with singing.
Then they said among the nations,
"The LORD has done great things for them."

3 The LORD has done great things for us,
And we are glad.

4 Bring back our captivity, O LORD,
As the streams in the South.

5 Those who sow in tears
Shall reap in joy.

6 He who continually goes forth weeping,
Bearing seed for sowing,
Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing,
Bringing his sheaves with him.

What a song to sing while ascending to the place of worship!  Like Israel being delivered out of captivity, we who join them in Christ as being redeemed from the captivity of sin and death also sing with shouts of joy in being set truly free indeed (John 8:36).  What can contain our exuberance or stop the joyful laughter and song?  Oh, to realize that our very liberation is a testimony of God’s great grace and ability to save to the world around us!  Because He has done such great things, such wonderful works, we are truly and completely glad.  This is the song our lives and words sing out to bear witness to the grace of God in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior.  Yes, and our testimony fuels the words of the gospel we then bring.  Our labors in the midst of rejection and ridicule are worth the price of our lives, living sacrifices which sow seeds with tears yet promise reaping with eternal joy by the deliverance of others from the same captivity!  Yes, we must continue to go forth no matter the tears of rejection’s sorrows, bearing the seed of the good news to this world (Luke 8:11, 1 Peter 1:23).  Our shouts of joy accompany our reaping of the harvest set before us (John 4:35), knowing that we bring that harvest of the Lord’s work as His messengers and ambassadors of the work.  There will be more shouts of joy as others are set free indeed as we do this work.  Amen, and shout joyfully, giving all glory to the God who saves with such a great deliverance!