“When the Lord brought back the captives to Zion, we were like men who dreamed. 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. The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.'” (Psa. 126:1-3)

As I read this passage, it reminds me that we are just like the captive Israelites who were exiled. The Lord had to bring them back to be restored to their land and position, and in the same way, He also had to restore us and our position in the body of Christ.

Because of original sin, we had been exiled not only out of the Garden, but outside of His inheritance; but through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, He restored us back into fellowship with Him and grafted us into His family.

And when we are in God’s family, we are like the captives who were brought back to life… our mouths are filled with laughter and our tongues with songs of joy! We can recognize and praise God for who He is and for the great things He has done for His glory!

As we enter the week of Thanksgiving (which really should be every week, but I digress), we should not only thank Him for the earthly blessings He provides us, but more importantly, for the greatest gift of all— the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ!

Let’s be filled with joy as we give God the thanksgiving and praise that He deserves!

[From November 18, 2018]