Seeing with a Generous Eye; Psalm 126, Proverbs 22

May the mumbling commence!

The world is a weary place.  Those of us who look forward to Zion, the City of God, sometimes feel like we are living a nightmare.  We dream of the coming and partially present reign of God.  In many ways, we feel like captives.  Sometimes it feels as if tears are our only sustenance.

But the joy that the Lord takes in us will be our source of gladness and joy.  The joy that the Lord takes in us will be the seed that takes root in our bed of tears that will bring forth fruit and the time of reaping.  Read Psalm one-hundred twenty-six:

When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion,

We were like those who dream. 

Then our mouth was filled with laughter,

And our tongue with singing.

Then they said among the nations,

"The Lord has done great things for them." 

The Lord has done great things for us,

And we are glad. 

Bring back our captivity, O Lord,

As the streams in the South. 

Those who sow in tears

Shall reap in joy. 

He who continually goes forth weeping,

Bearing seed for sowing,

Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing,

Bringing his sheaves with him. 

Sometimes, hardship prepares us for harvest.  Unpleasantness will be transformed by the Lord into the fruit of the Spirit.  Let us not shrink back from calamity or captivity. 

God will be among us.  The Lord will do great things for us.  Even our enemies will see that God does great things for us.  Neither our enemies nor you and I will be able to deny the plain truth of that fact.

Joy will spring up in the midst of sadness.  Tears will be transformed into laughter.  The moaning and groaning of petitions will be transformed into joyful singing.  We are glad.

Our tears have fed the earth and helped to bring forth the fruit of the earth.  The seed will bear fruit.  And we will return rejoicing with sheaves.

Dispel our nightmares.  Transform them into dreams of beauty and plenty, of gladness and joy.  This is our prayer in the midst of this weary world.

Give us the eyes and hearts to perceive this bounty, and let us share it with the poorest and most vulnerable.  Read from Proverbs chapter twenty-two:

He who has a generous eye will be blessed,

For he gives of his bread to the poor. (Verse 9)

Enough mumbling for now…

Peace Out