DREAMS – Pt 6

Psalm 126:1-6 “When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them. The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad. Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”

As I have written and said many times, the Psalms are my favorite part of the Word of God. I can relate to the depths of the Psalmist’s discouragement, the transparency of the heart, the cry for the sufficiency of God’s mercy, grace and help, and the joyful songs of victories that have come at the hand of God’s intervention. In this Psalm we see one of those times that the Psalmist had dreamed of, God turning his captivity and the heart that burst forth in singing and praise at the great things God had done in his life.

In these series of CHALLENGING CONCEPTS we have tried to make a practical application of how God gives certain dreams to each of His children. When those dreams are revealed, what happens and what do we do with the opportunity? Those are the questions we have strived to answer.

We have noticed the DETERMINING, DISPLAY, DIFFICULTIES and DEMANDS of the dream. Now we get to the good part. Here are the expectations we can enjoy. Let’s look at it!

V. THE DELIGHTS OF THE DREAM

We now reach the payoff of this whole thing. Those who find God's purpose for their lives and seek to fulfill that dream that God has placed down in their souls have blessings that the world cannot know. A person who has never sensed a dream or purpose from God and has never seen it come to pass, does not know the feeling of a dream realized.

There are four great delights for the godly dreamer in the second part of verse six.

A. The SURETY We Expect

Notice the two words, “shall doubtless.” Success is guaranteed in the service of God. There is no guarantee with anything in this world or what it has to offer.

I’m not talking about success as the world defines it, but as God defines it. Success in God's eyes does not necessarily mean money, power, prestige, or honor. But it does mean a full reward and confidence when we stand in His presence.

Notice what Jesus said in Matthew 25:23, “His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”

Notice the testimony Paul gave to challenge a young preacher in II Timothy 4:7-8, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

Paul had the assurance that his final harvest would be a crown of righteousness. And, of course, he stated that the same crown would await those who followed their God given dream and remain steadfast until they found themselves in the presence of the Lord.

B. The STRENGTH We Experience

Notice the two words, “come again.” The farmer sows the seed, and returns periodically to cultivate his crop. This part isn’t easy. He has to hoe the weeds from the crop. There is a lot of work involved in maintenance.

The farmer comes again in the harvest. To experience the dream a person returns to the work time and time again. He needs strength for the labor. That strength comes from the Lord. We read in I Thessalonians 5:24, “Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.” It is God that strengthens His children to accomplish the dream He has given them. One of my favorite verses in the entire Word of God is Philippians 2:13 “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”

Failure is not an option or even a possibility for the sold-out Christian worker. We are His servant, acting on His orders. Victory and harvest are assured because it is not us that accomplishes anything. It is His strength. He works in and through the believer. I’m thankful that It’s His ministry and He allows us to partner with Him.

C. The SONG We Express

Notice the two words, “with rejoicing.” There is a special heart-felt song for the successful Christian worker. The word “rejoicing” means to proclaim with a ringing cry. It is a rejoicing that the world cannot understand.

As I have said many times, vocally and with the pen, the Psalms are some of my favorite portions of Scripture. Over and over the Psalmist cried with a loud chorus of rejoicing for the work God had accomplished in his life and his service.

We too will lift up our voices for the victory God has accomplished.

D. The SHEAVES We Experience

Notice that phrase, “bringing his sheaves with him.” It is amazing to discover that the only other place in scripture in that the Hebrew word used here (alummah) is mentioned is in Genesis 37:7. That passage is where Joseph explains his dream of the sheaves to his brothers. The sheaves represent the harvest. Truly the harvest was plenteous in Egypt when Joseph was in charge as second in command. The years in the land of God’s people was years of famine. In God’s providence the brothers of Joseph came to Egypt for corn and literally bowed before Joseph were fulfilling the dream.

In the work of God there is a harvest. Just as the farmer is dependent on the elements, the Christian laborer is dependent on God. The Apostle Paul wrote in I Corinthians 3:7, “So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.”

Each one of God’s people has a part in God’s harvest field. What has God called you to do? God will call, equip and empower you to fulfill the dream He gives you. The question is, will you be obedient? What is that dream? What are you doing to fulfill that dream?

That’s my view; how about you?