Look What The Lord Has Done

This devotional is Part 4 of a series focusing on John 11:1-44.

Psalm 126 (NIV)
A song of ascents.

1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
    we were like those who dreamed. 
2 Our mouths were filled with laughter,
    our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
    “The Lord has done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us,
    and we are filled with joy.

4 Restore our fortunes, Lord,
    like streams in the Negev.
5 Those who sow with tears
    will reap with songs of joy.
6 Those who go out weeping,
    carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
    carrying sheaves with them.

 At Lazarus’ tomb, Jesus also faced his impending death. But Scripture says, For the joy set before him he endured the cross…You are Jesus’ joy, Jesus’ harvest. Jesus carried the seeds of new and eternal life with him to the Cross, sewed them in death, and rose from the grave with a harvest of children returned from exile to their Father. We were the joy set before Jesus who is the Resurrection and the Life; Jesus, who has the authority to call us out back from decay; Jesus, who knows that sometimes we still walk around bound by grave clothes. 

So now when we are free—indeed—Christ becomes our joy, our reward, our inheritance—those sheaves we carry out into the world that will look on and say, The Lord has done great things for them. 

Yes, The Lord has done great things for us.

Amen.