Thursday, December 13, 2018
Psalm 126:1-2 When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. 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.”
RESTORATION REALIZED
Dreams are still one of the great unexplained mysteries of humanity. Scientifically, we don't know why we dream or what exactly happens in our brains when we dream. Have you ever had anything happen to you in real life that truly seemed unreal? Something so improbable and incredible that you thought, "Pinch me, I must be dreaming."
That's what it was like for the Hebrews as they looked back and realized with joyful reflection the improbable and incredible restoration of Israel from the Babylonian captivity. It's like when a house restoration is finished, and the owners walk in and their jaws hit the floor in disbelief at how amazing the finished product looks.
Part of the Christian life is realizing and recognizing all the amazing ways which God has blessed us in the past. And praising him for it with joy and laughter! When Israel was restored from the Babylonian captivity, even the neighboring nations said, "The LORD has done great things for them." Like the captives returning from captivity, we too can proclaim, "The LORD has done great things for us and we are glad!"
When the entire world was captive to sin, God sent his only begotten Son to buy us back from sin and death. In the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus our true restoration is realized. Jesus is the restoration of believers from sin. That restoration began 2000 years ago, with the miraculous conception of God's Son in the virgin Mary. It continued when Jesus was born in the stable in Bethlehem. It was realized through his perfect life and innocent death. And it is given to each of us. We have been restored as God's children because of the peace which Jesus made for us.
This Advent we look back with joyful reflection on the restoration won for us by the Christ-child, who was born to die for all our sins and rose again for our justification. This Advent we look forward with joyful anticipation to the completed restoration of all God's children on the Last Day -- when we will be forever with the Lord.
