When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dream.
2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then they said among the nations,
“The LORD has done great things for them.”
3 The LORD has done great things for us;
we are glad.
I will love you and keep you, for as long as you meet my needs. That corruption of marriage vows has become, if not overtly stated, the underlying promise made at the altar. When the spouse does what I want, then I will be happy and acknowledge their good work at keeping me happy. Israel was in a covenant with God through Moses. The LORD met their needs for redemption by bringing them out of Egypt. He filled their need for a land of their own. He filled their need for protection from enemies. They failed to fulfill their own vows to obey his law and reject false gods. When they were taken captive as a result, God delivered them.
How often do we acknowledge the goodness of God only when good things happen in our lives, when our fortunes have been restored? He deserves worship even when our fortunes are crumbling before our eyes because he has restored our fortunes for all eternity with the shed blood of Jesus who redeems and restores us to a right relationship with God. Let our mouth be filled with laughter, even when the sorrows of this world mount up against us. Praise our God who will fill our need to protect us from the enemy of sin.
Dear Lord, thank you for restoring our fortunes through Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray for he has done great things.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church