Scripture
1-3 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.
4-6 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.
Reflection
I heard someone once say that he saw this verse lived out before him. It was near the end of the year and the grain that was used to make bread and trade for other food supplies was getting low. The family was down to just one meal a day, when the hungry children ran from the barn to tell their father they had found “extra grain”. The brokenhearted father then had to explain that they could not eat this grain because this was the grain which would be planted in the spring to bring a harvest in the fall and feed the family for the next year. We have tears now but there will be joy at harvest time. Trust the process! (Ps. Dale).
Thoughts for the day
- What does this passage tell us about God and people?
- What do you feel God is telling you through this passage?
- What is one way you can apply this truth to your life today?
- Who can you encourage with this story/message?
Prayer
Pray for somewhere in the world that needs God’s attention. Flick to a news app or website, and pick a news story to pray for.