203. Wednesday after Third Sunday after Easter.
Lord, make us glad with the
comfort of thy word. Amen.
Psalm 126. When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them. The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad. Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the south. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
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The people of Israel had been delivered out of their Babylonian captivity; and though they had believed the promise and expected its fulfillment, their deliverance came to them in the nature of a surprise, and seemed to them such a glorious thing altogether that they were beside themselves with wonder and delight. But captivity and affliction again came upon them, as we read in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Now their cry once more is: “Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the south.” The heart of the psalmist is full of hope. The sower sows his seed with sweat and labor; there is a long drouth; the seed and the labor seem to have been wasted; the heart is held in suspense between hope and fear; the tears flow. O God, send rain, send rain from on high! And are we, then, after all, to have a bountiful harvest? Yes; the seed that is sown with sweat and tears shall be reaped with exultation and songs of joy. — This is the common experience of God’s people, of the individual Christian, and of the Lord’s church. Here on earth captivity and deliverance, lamentation and songs of joy, alternate; but they are followed at last by eternal bliss. — The Lord hath done great things for us. He has converted us, delivered us out of captivity, released us from the bondage of sin, and led us into the Canaan of his grace. What a change! What a wondrous change to be turned from death to life, from the power of Satan to God! We say with our whole heart: “The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.” However, there still are drawn swords round about us. And what is the situation now? The windows of heaven seem to be closed above the land. There falls no rain; the soul is parched with thirst in the fiery heat of spiritual trials. “I once was in the state of grace, was a child of God, tasted his life, lived in his love, had peace and joy, served the Lord willingly and hopefully. Now, alas, this happiness has fled. Again I am in captivity and sore trouble; the streams have run dry, the earth is parched, the seed dies.” Thus sounds the complaint; but even in this there is hope and prayer, because the faithful Holy Spirit has not permitted the heart to sever itself from the word of God. Be of good cheer, dear friend, and fear not; you shall surely come again with rejoicing, bringing your sheaves with you. You long, and you pray; which proves that there is faith in your heart. And the Lord is the God who works wonders. The tears of faith always yield at last a bountiful harvest of joy. This never fails.
How long, O Lord, how long? Thou seest how I am assailed by unbelief. Have mercy, and turn again our captivity as the streams in the desert. Lord, may it please thee to do it quickly. Amen.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust him for his grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.
His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.
Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan his work in vain;
God is his own interpreter,
And he will make it plain.