Scripture

“When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.” Psalm 126:1

Reflections

God can transform a nightmare to a dream come true.

The year was 538 B.C.  The Jews had been exiled to Babylon seventy years earlier.  Seventy years is a long time.  The people had settled down.  They had established homes in the new land. Many of them had been born in exile.  It was all they knew.  And then suddenly, Cyrus, the new king, made a proclamation allowing all the Jews to go home. (Ezra 1:1-4)

The Jews had experienced seventy long years in captivity, and then in a moment, God turns things around.  Just like that!  They were in shock.  They couldn’t believe it.  It was too good to be true.  Somebody pinch me, I must be dreaming!  It was impossible.  It couldn’t have happened, and yet it did!  They were now back in Jerusalem, back in the holy city, back in Zion, the place where God dwells with his people, and it all felt like a dream.

Sometimes we feel far away from where we ought to be in this life.  We belong somewhere else.  Things aren’t right.  It may even feel like we’re living a nightmare.  But as people of faith, we know what God is capable of doing.  We know his promises.

A better day will come.

Prayer

Lord God, thank you for transforming nightmares to dreams come true.  Grant me patience as I await a new day.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Full Reading: Psalm 126