Today’s Lectio Divina: Psalm 126. (MsgB)
A Pilgrim Song.
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.
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.
“Do it again, Grampa…do it again.”
My grand kids are so much fun to entertain. And so easy at times.
Make a goofy face, tickle an arm or foot, or make a silly sound, and my grand kids laugh and laugh. And then they say it…
“Do it again, Grampa…do it again.”
On occasion, I can get a good twenty minutes of entertainment out of one simple act of silliness.
Psalm 126 kinda reminds me of those wonderful grand-parenting moments when the cares of the world take a backseat to the loving relationships we have with our kids and grandkids.
I wonder if God gets the same joyful feeling I feel in my heart when He hears His kids down here asking Him to do it again, God…do it again?
As I see it, this cry for ‘more’ has got to touch the Father Heart of God. It sorta reminds me of a similar text found over in the Book of Habakkuk, chapter 3, verse 2:
God, I’ve heard what our ancestors say about You, and I’m stopped in my tracks, down on my knees. Do among us what You did among them. Work among us as You worked among them. And as You bring judgment, as You surely must, remember mercy.
History shows us that we human beings, made in the image of God, eventually get fed up with the way this world isn’t like heaven. Living down here out of our own strength can work for a while, but sooner or later, wise folks who believe in the God of our ancestors begin to look around at the present condition of our society and finally cry out to heaven for help.
Do it again, God…do it again!
This short little phrase, quite honestly, can become one of the best prayers for revival ever found in the Holy Book. And when we think of it like I do, as my grandkids calling out for ole gramps to not quit his interaction with them, I gotta believe the Father Heart of God hears that cry and will do all He can to come renew His love in our midst, for His Name’s sake.
Who knows? Maybe if we Christians stopped with all of our religiousness and holier than thou actions, God just might look down upon His kids with mercy and step in again to help us through the trials in which we find ourselves today?
It’s worth a try, isn’t it?
Maybe we just need to start singing Psalm 126 again? How about just a little louder this time so God won’t miss our good intentions?
Do it again, God…do it again!
My prayer: Encore, Father. Encore. You have such a wonderful reputation of hearing the heartfelt cries of Your hurting people, O God. Come again, Poppa and do it again. Revive us. Visit us once more. Don’t leave us here without Your presence. Do it again, God…do it again! For Your name’s sake. Amen.
My questions to ponder: Have I given up crying out for ‘more’ from God, choosing to settle for what I have in my relationship with Him right now? How can I become more like little kids begging their parents or grandparents for more interaction? How might my prayers to my Heavenly Father align more closely with the scriptural prayers found in Psalm 126 and Habakkuk 2:3?
So what is God speaking to you today as you ponder the Psalms?
Over a 50-week period, you and I will take a deeper look at The Psalms: God’s Songbook of Prayers. In order to keep all the blog sessions organized, we suggest you bookmark our Contemplating the Psalms home page for ease of use. Keep in mind that one of the best ways to explore the on-going applications of this blog series is to walk alongside a biblically-based, Christ-centered spiritual director who is familiar with how to make material like this part of your overall spiritual formation in God. Many of our directors in our Contemplative Activist network are available to companion you in your journey with Jesus. Click here for more info.
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