Psalm 126

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.

Restore our fortunes,
O LORD,
like streams in the Negev.
Those who sow in tears
will reap with songs of joy.
He who goes out weeping,
carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
carrying sheaves with him.

Was reading this, although it wasn't exactly the psalm on my daily reading schedule. But suddenly, as I looked through the lyrics, sensed that these verses seemed to be speaking to me. And recalling the DMM yesterday, what HQ was thinking about, the seeds... and the planning for the CG during the church camp... these verses seem to be encouraging us that God is able to help us grow what we sow.

"Those who sow in tears
will reap with songs of joy."

Have there been moments when we went out, shepherding or meeting people up or outreaching, but we felt about as happy as a farmer going out to plant his precious seed in a land racked with drought?

The farmer weeps, because he knows that more likely than not, he'll literally be throwing his seed to the birds, but yet he has to do it, with forlorn hope, just in case...

I checked out what the Negev was. It's harsh desert land that is generally not very suitable on its own for agriculture. So think it is an encouragement from God that He is able to send streams through the desert, and though sometimes we feel that we're not going to make it this time - He is able to do great and wonderful things for us - things too amazing to comprehend.

He's able to bring back the captives.
He's able to bring water flowing into the desert.
He's able to make things grow where they're not supposed to.

He's able to bring a new spring of revival and transformation in our CGs. Where we didn't have new disciples, and the "old birds" didn't seem to be experiencing God for two, three years... He is able to do something NEW today. Hee! Feel very encouraged, because I think this psalm is a rhema word from God to encourage us that He will do something beautiful in my CG soon.

Still, I think God may be speaking to us too. Perhaps He wants us to start weeping for what He weeps for. To break our hearts for what breaks His. Sheep being undiscipled? Old Christians living lives aimlessly? Discouraged and disappointed disciples? World in conflict? Social injustices? Broken societies? Suffering children? Loveless families? Faithless fathers? The Father's eyes see, and His ears hear... and His heart aches.

To rend our hearts, and not our garments. To return to the Lord our God. To weep together with Him, till our streams of tears confluence together to become streams in the desert.

He is able, He is able
I know He is able
I know my God is able
To carry me through

He heals the broken-hearted
And sets the captives free
He makes the lame walk again
And the blind to see...

He came from a place of glory
To set the captives free
He gave His life in love for me
And caused my eyes to see...