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It seemed like a dream, too good to be true, when God returned Zion's exiles. We laughed, we sang, we couldn't believe our good fortune. We were the talk of the nations - "God was wonderful to them!" God was wonderful to us; we are one happy people. And now, God, do it again - bring rains to our drought-stricken lives So those who planted their crops in despair will shout hurrahs at the harvest, So those who went off with heavy hearts will come home laughing, with armloads of blessing. (Psalm 126) The Message
The Prodigal story is mentioned here and that's because it is a universal story, at times applying to you and me. Though we never change addresses, it sometimes does happen that we find ourselves far from home. In the story told by Jesus, two sons wandered off - one literally, the other in spirit. One did travel miles to far away places, and the older one wandered off in his mind and thinking. Both were welcomed home, as will we, when we come home to God's love.
The psalmist writes this with a hopeful heart; a prophetic word, almost dreamlike with a hope "too good to be true," when those who were taken away return home. Our churches have empty pews and chairs of those who were taken exile by sin, temptation, opportunities, petty anger, silly disagreements; all seem to big at the time to get over, and our steps and hearts walked away from a community of believers. The psalmist says, one day, one day God will allow them to return in their own way, back to Him. Even now, we who are back should rejoice and be glad; our laughter and our singing should give us away to the point others outside the fellowship or church will say, "God was wonderful to them!" Indeed, God is wonderful, and awesome, to the point where we are happy people.
Our prayer is, "God, do it again - bring rains to our drought-stricken lives. May the seeds of faith planted in us bring forth a harvest of faith, new believers even among those who have physically not left; and yes, bring home all who left, let them laugh as they return, sharing blessings as they come.
PRAYER: HEAVENLY FATHER, forgive me for my wanderings and wonderings; let me be among those of the harvest as we enter Your presence and service with laughter and singing. May I be among the reasons people say, "God was wonderful to them!" Indeed, because You are, and always will be, wonderful to us. Thank You! This I pray in faith in Christ Jesus' precious name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
