A Joyous Journey
Psalm 126
Verse 2 Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”
God’s people were coming back to the city they longed to see. They were filled with great joy, not just for being free to return but because they were envisioning the way their city would look after they rebuilt it.
The journey back to their beloved homeland was as we would expect, full of joy, laughter and singing. They were anticipating seeing sights that held many memories. Sights that would remind them of relatives that died before the end of exile. The smells of plants native to the Promised Land reaching their noses and the sounds of native birds would be filling their ears.
The joy of a homecoming is something we all know. Whether it is just after a short trip to a favorite vacation spot or the return after extended hospital stay or various other situations. Maybe even coming to our childhood home for the holidays. There is no place like home. The feeling of being in a space that is familiar and with people we know is a special feeling.
This could even be a feeling we get when we head to our home church. We feel comfortable with these people. We are used to the style of the music and the songs that are done, we are used to the time of the service and the average length. All those make us feel at home and should give us a joy at coming together for worship.
But this joyous time of coming together isn’t the whole story. Notice the final part of this verse. It is the outsiders’ observance that the psalmist is making a point of. When we have joy at coming together to worship God and we obviously enjoy each other’s company, others will notice. This is a great thing for us to think about in how we are perceived as Christians. If those that are on the outside looking in don’t see us enjoying coming together they won’t see the goodness of our God.
Making It Personal
What do you look forward to when heading to church? Can others tell how much you love your church family? How does your opinion of your church family display your view of God?
Making It Personal Kids
Do you like going to church to worship with other Christians? What do you like best? Do your friends know how much you like your church?
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for calling us together to be Your people and thank You for giving us a desire to come together to worship You. Give us the wisdom we need to see how our worship together affects those who are watching from the outside. In Jesus’ name, amen.