“When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream that our mouth was filled with laughter and our tongue with shouts of joy. Then they sat them on the nations, the Lord has done great things for them. The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad.” -Psalm 126:1-3.

I love the hope in this verse, written at a time of struggle, but yet—for the Israelites—it was a recent RESToration from exile. It was a time of celebration and laughter after sadness had surrounded them for so long. 

I also love how this verse shines a light on a work already progressed, in lives already restored.  

Because Scripture places us at a point in history when the Israelites were taken captive by the Babylonians and remained in exile for 70 years. I mean, I’m so ready to return after a week away from home to anywhere. By day five, I’m missing the landscape, already. I miss my blanket. I want the lock that fits my key, and I want the subfloor that squeaks when you walk down the hall. When the floor makes music, I know I’m home.

The Pain of Separation

The thing is, the Israelites were not only separated from their homes, but also from their temples. Separation must have felt like a partition from God, a divide our sin demands because sin is bossy like this. Their joy so exuberant upon return, “when the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion.”

Think about when you’ve had a “too good to be true” dream only to wake up and realize that, yes—it was simply too good to be true. But we can experience this “restored” joy (past tense),  because it’s already been perfected in Christ. Provided through Him. Planned by Him. In Him, we can find joy so intense that it’s almost dreamlike.

How do we experience restored joy? By remembering. The way to get through the fire is to remember Who rescues when the embers are soaked cool. Friend, He will rescue you!

The people remembered God. And that’s how they “were like those who dream.” I get it. It’s easy to forget just how good God is when difficulties around you swirl and doubt falls like rain. But I considered this truth this past week: Jesus called Peter out of the boat in the storm, not on a sunny and seventy-degree day. 

Trusting for Restoration

We can have this great “dreamy” joy when we trust God to restore all that has been lost. 

Think of a problem or struggle you’re currently in. Remember now a time when God restored in His goodness, kindness, and care. Just like the people who returned from exile—we can be restored. 

I can think back in these past months and see God’s good, restorative work behind me, as well as celebration ahead. Can you? 

It’s all coming back. Everything in creation waxes and wanes, wastes and ruins, but all things will be forever restored through Christ.

Because, “The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad.”

Amen. 

In Restored, by Beth Duewel, we are reminded of God's almighty power to redeem. Share on X