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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)
Yesterday as I was leaving our subdivision to get on the road to work, I passed two small boys on one bike. The older one was peddling and the younger one stood on the rear wheel's rod and it made me smile and today I wonder if that younger one will look back one day and treasure that memory of his older friend or brother who did that for him as they went to school. I consider it a great thing that this older one cares enough to do something like that. I also thought about our nephew who works in a pharmacy in South Texas. He won recognition as the outstanding Rx Tech for his region, The Valley. And I've seen him at work and I've heard his stories. He does not like the elderly to walk away without their medicines. He will search on the internet for coupons, discounts, assistance, etc, One example he shared was a $500 bill for one month's drugs for one old man, who sadly said, "I guess I can do without it." My nephew said, "Let me work on this." The man walked away, with his prescription having paid only $5.00. I bet most of those people know what great things our nephew Bobby has done for them.
How about us? Have we noticed the great things God has done for us? The psalmist wrote this psalm as a word of gratitude and hope; remembering that once they were sad and sorrowful, then God acted and that changed what was in their mouth; it was now filled with laughter and shouts of joy. Others said, "God has done great things for them!" And they themselves have said, "God has done great things for us!" And then the prayer for God to continue His good work among us, comparing it to the water courses in the Negeb. This is usually a very dry region plagued by drought, but once a year, massive rainfall turns the arid ground into rushing torrents of water; God, continue to bless us in that way spiritually, the psalmist prays. Make us glad for all You do.
PRAYER: Loving God, thank You for the blessings that we have received. Forgive us for not keeping better track of what You do, but always grant us a grateful heart so that we can share with others. May the prayer of the psalmist be our prayer; that Your good work continue among us. You know our needs and we trust you, Loving Father. We pray in faith and in Christ Jesus' precious name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Do something great for someone just to plant a precious memory in them.
Eradio Valverde
