S182P8 – Characters in the Psalms: the hopeful dreamer
Psa. 126:1-3
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.
Many of us will experience what I call “stuck seasons” in life. These are the times of waiting for an answer to prayer when it seems like the answer you want is too incredible to happen. Some will experience this in their work. They will desire something more or something different, and it will feel like that never will come. Then, seemingly all of a sudden, God opens the door and leads them out to something new. The same thing can happen with an undesirable living situation or difficult financial circumstances. During these seasons, the weight of the occasion is heavy, and that desired release seems like it would be a dream should it come to pass. The question is whether we wait for it with assurance.
For centuries, the Israelites were waiting (or should have been waiting) on the fulfillment of various promises from God. Generally, they expected to live generations of fruitul and free lives in the land promised to them. The Psalmist here wrote about captivity, which saw God’s people removed from that land and stripped of their freedom. What we know from the scriptures is that God’s deliverance was prophesied at times even as captivity was beginning and its reasons explained by him. In Jeremiah, He actaully gave a timeline for the captivity of Israel and Judah to end. [Jer. 29:10] They were assured of this result many times through various periods of captivity, yet realizing the promise would be like a dream.
God’s deliverance might feel like a dream to us, but that dream cannot be a surprise. We have a Father who we know will neither leave nor forsake us. We serve a God who works all things for our good because we love him and are called according to his purpose. Our deliverance might not happen in a day or a year or even a generation, but it will come. That period of waiting might make our destined relief seem more and more remote, but it is right there, and it is sure. Its destiny has not been affected. God’s rescue can be like a dream we know we will get to have one day. Father, help us to wait with total assurance your unbelievable yet completely expected hand of deliverance.