Reflections: Like Those Who Dream
Pastor Rollan Fisher
Songs of ascents are particularly referring to a group of songs that are found in Psalms 120-134 which were sung by worshipers on their way up to Jerusalem for annual festivals including Passover, Pentecost and the Feast of Tabernacles.
They were songs of reflection on the goodness and faithfulness of God that inspired hope and joy at the prospect of reuniting with God and experiencing his full redemption.
In between now and Pentecost (which this year we will celebrate June 9th), it is a good reflection as we meditate on the implications of the hope we have in Jesus.
A Song of Ascent
Psalm 126:1-6 ESV
“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 they said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them." The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad. Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like streams in the Negeb! Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.”
Focus: The life transformation that Jesus gives brings joy to the world.
Like Those Who Dream
Asking the Right Questions
Pentecost
Like Those Who Dream
When God brings us back to himself, the experience of life in him so far exceeds what we previously experienced that we can hardly describe it - we are like men who dream.
This particular Psalm was sung year after year as a repeated reflection.
So often we are only looking for what is new in life and miss the depths of God’s anchoring truths.
There is no mention of the particular circumstance of trial or of discipline that the Israelites were experiencing from God’s hand.
All we know is that the Israelites had experienced hardship and that they thereafter had a return to the Lord which resulted once again in God restoring Israel’s fortunes.
Psalm 126:2 ESV
“Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them."”
Laughter and joy are prominent parts of a life restored in God.
We are able to see both sides of the fence and can’t believe how good it is on God’s side.
This is the content of a testimony.
Everyone should have one if you’ve been redeemed in Christ.
What is your story?
Asking the Right Questions
The right question to ask is if we are not experiencing this life in God, even in the midst of trial, what am I missing?
What makes a testimony?
BC (Before Christ) ➡️ Cross (How You Met Jesus) ➡️ AD (Since Knowing the Lord)
…then they said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them."”
Our testimonies and life change should impact the nations (our families, friends, neighbors and co-workers).
What story has God given you to tell regarding his redemption in Jesus?
Rather than being self-sufficient and attempting to problem-solve on your own, learn to seek the Lord for his directives and counsel - which includes the godly counsel he gives you in your church community.
Again, where people go astray is in major decisions of life including where to live, job pursuits and romantic relationships, they take no one’s counsel but their own.
Seek God
Proverbs 3:3-6 ESV
“Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
Seek godly counsel
Proverbs 11:14 ESV
“Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.”
Proverbs 12:15 ESV
“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.”
Proverbs 15:22 ESV
“Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.”
Proverbs 20:28 ESV
“Steadfast love and faithfulness preserve the king, and by steadfast love his throne is upheld.”
Proverbs 24:5,6 ESV
“A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might, for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.”
I don’t want to just fight this fight of faith - I want to fight to win and bring glory to Jesus!
*Make room for taking the right kind of advice.
Not all counsel is created equal!!
Psalm 1:1-3 ESV
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.”
Psalm 141:5
WE need people in our lives who will not go along with every well laid plan we have contrived, but by the Spirit of God can tell us “no”!
When we have these anchors in our lives, we are able to successfully and joyfully pilgrimage from our BC days, to Christ, and finally into the purposes of God along with those whom God has called us to walk.
The Parable of Bucky
BC
Cross and healing
The King gives Bucky a new arm and re-commissions him for the fight!
AD with counsel
Man on a mission with renewed purpose and joy!
How is God restoring your joy?
Pentecost
When God restores our fortunes, there is a harvest.
There was a material/agricultural harvest that Israel experienced which acted as a testimony to the world of Yahweh’s (God’s) goodness and provision for his people.
The testimony of changed lives is a pronouncement of the same through the cross of Jesus Christ.
At the cross, there is forgiveness for our sins, healing for our mistakes and redemption for our wrong choices.
As we repent of our sins, turn to Jesus and are made new, people observe the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and acknowledge the work that can only be done through God.
Psalm 126:3, 4 ESV
The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad. Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like streams in the Negeb!
The Negeb is the arid southern region of Judah.
If its dry gullies were to run as streams it would mean that God was turning dry, desert lands into environments flush with green plants and life.
Psalm 127:5,6 ESV
Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.”
In the midst of joy, there is also weeping.
When we go out weeping, it means we feel the pain of the world.
When we go out weeping carrying seed to sow, we are taking the gospel, the good news of Jesus’ redemption with us.
Yet we are still sowing in tears and with pain.
God’s word tells us that when we enter into the pain of the world with the gospel, we will return with sheaves and shouts of joy.
Pentecost was a celebration of the harvest.
How will your weeping turn into harvest amidst your family members, co-workers and friends?
