Psalm 126 Study (Daily Encouragement)
Read: Psalm 126
Overview: The center sentence in the psalm is “we are one happy people” (v. 3). The words on one side of that center (vv. 1-2) are in the past tense, the words on the other side (vv. 4-6) in the future tense. Present gladness has past and future.
Joy is nurtured by anticipation. If the joy-producing acts of God are characteristic of our past as God’s people, they will also be characteristic of our future as his people. There is no reason to suppose that God will arbitrarily change his way of working with us. What we have known of him, we will know of him. Just as joy builds on the past, it borrows from the future. It expects certain things to happen. – Eugene Peterson.
Questions:
1. The Message paraphrases Psalm 126:1 “It seemed too good to be true.” When did God do something for you that seemed too good to be true?
2. Discuss anything from Psalm 126 or the sermon that caught your attention, encourages, challenges or confuses you.
3. Psalm 126 reveals that present joy “builds on the past” (what God has done) and “borrows from the future” (what God promises to do). Apply that to the gospel and how it brings present joy.
4. Verses 4 & 5 teach that restoration sometimes comes quickly – like streams in a desert – and sometimes comes slowly – like seeds planted. Why is that important to understand? When have you experienced both?
5. The Psalmist prayer is for the “LORD to restore our fortunes”. Think about the spiritual dryness of our area (Apathy-ism vs. Atheism) and in your own life. What can you pray for God to do in & through you? Our church?
*Each Monday, we are posting the study that coincides with the Psalm for the week. This is a way to “be encouraged” directly from studying and applying God’s word for yourself. We utilize these studies for the discussion at our community groups which you are always welcome to join.