After the Exodus

This is another Psalm that is full of hope and healing. It's also one that if I marked my favorite verses. I would mark all of them. It was sung on the way to Jerusalem. I long to see Israel rejoice like this again!

Errr like the Psalm, not exactly like this... but sorta : )
© Karen Kyle Ericson, all rights reserved.

This Psalm describes the happiness on the other side of the Exodus out of Egypt. Sometimes life is confusing and seems impossible. The Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years, wondering if there was an end. Each step seemed unending, unnecessary and impossible. That's how faith is.

Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

NKJV

And, here is the result of their great faith:

Psalms 126

1 It seemed like a dream, too good to be true,

when God returned Zion's exiles.

2 We laughed, we sang,

we couldn't believe our good fortune.

We were the talk of the nations —

"God was wonderful to them!"

3 God was wonderful to us;

we are one happy people.

4 And now, God, do it again —

bring rains to our drought-stricken lives

Verse 5 in the New King James Version is one of my favorite verses. God has some special things in store for those of us who believe and overcome.

5 Those who sow in tears

Shall reap in joy.

NKJV

5 So those who planted their crops in despair

will shout hurrahs at the harvest,

6 So those who went off with heavy hearts

will come home laughing, with armloads of blessing.

THE MESSAGE

Here's the story of Moses from the New Testament "Great Hall of Faith," Hebrews, Chapter 11. I doubt Moses realized the full impact of what he was doing at the time.

Hebrews 11:23-29

23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king's command.

24 By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26 esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.

27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned.

NKJV

None of us know how our little acts and work for the Lord affect the larger picture of God's plan. Ministry can be very difficult at times, making us weary. As much as we want to help others, we run out of strength. And Jesus said,

Matt 11:28-30

28 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

NKJV

God has been teaching me how to not carry the world's burdens, it's too heavy. But to take up His yoke and His burden instead. You can imagine my delight when my Pastor spoke about this yesterday. Jesus is the Savior, I'm just a servant.