When the Lord Restored Our Fortunes
By Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage, Guest Writer
Today’s Treasure
When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.
Psalm 126:1
We joked, and we jostled. We swam with a dolphin and snorkeled with a turtle. We danced the macarena. Some of us sang karaoke. Our younger son, now twenty-four, flew down the “daredevil” waterslide with his siblings and in-laws, laughing with glee. It did, indeed, seem like a dream. Memories of the sorrowful season two years before had faded. Gone was the tension, the pain, and the fear we had all known during the year our younger son underwent four brain surgeries. Now we were cruising through paradise, our mouths filled with laughter.
It might be today. It might be tomorrow. It might be next year. It might take longer. But one day, in the new heavens and the new earth, we will all have our mouths filled with laughter and our tongues wagging with shouts of joy. The Lord has already returned us to himself through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, but one day, he will finish restoring our fortunes. In that day, he will free us forever from captivity to sin; he will restore us fully to himself. This restoration will be marked by many blessings, including:
Reunion: In that day, the loneliness of exile, the agony of betrayal, the loss of loved ones, will evaporate like ground fog giving way on a sunny day. The Lord will return us—to unbroken communion with himself, to undivided community with others. We will be joined together like loyal football fans, except we will sing out the praises of our good God and shout out our gratitude for our gracious Redeemer.
Freedom from sin: In that day, we will no longer be imprisoned by our own sin, nor held captive by the brokenness of the fallen world. The Lord will return us to the freedom of living and loving unhampered by selfishness. The Lord will restore our glorious purpose, enabling us to enjoy him and make his name great.
Fruitfulness and joy: In that day, we will see that our tears shed in crisis did not fall lifeless on the ground. Indeed, the Lord took those tears and sowed them in his rich soil of mercy. In that day, the fruit of our tears will poke life out of the dirt of this fallen world, emerging as bright green sprouts, waving in the wind in a joyful dance.
It might seem like a dream. It might seem too good to be true. We will not believe our good “fortune.” We will be with God! We will swim with dolphins and turtles. But it won’t be a dream. It will be real. In that day, we will say with the nations, “The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad” (Psalm 126:3). Let’s lean toward that day, dear friends. It is coming soon.
PRAYER
Lord, Thank You for growing the fruit of Your glory out of the tears we have wept. Thank You for dream-like days, days filled with laughter and joy. We look forward to the day when the dream-like days will last forever because we will be with You. Until that day comes, keep our eyes fixed on the horizon. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Sharon W. Betters is a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, pastor’s wife, and cofounder of MARKINC Ministries, where she is the Director of Resource Development. Sharon is the author of several books, including Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness, and co-author with Susan Hunt of Aging with Grace. She is the co-host of the Help & Hope podcast and writes Daily Treasure, an online devotional.
Contact Sharon with comments or questions at dailytreasure@markinc.org.