Restore Our Fortunes

Read Psalms 126. 128, 129, 132, 147, 149
 
Psalms 126:1-6 When the LORD brought back his exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream! 2 We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, “What amazing things the LORD has done for them.3 Yes, the LORD has done amazing things for us! What joy! 4 Restore our fortunes, LORD, as streams renew the desert. 5 Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. 6 They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.
 
THE people returning to Israel prayed, “Restore our fortunes.” Some people get uncomfortable about praying for a good life, for “fortune” or even to be blessed in God’s care. Some of that discomfort could be the result of prosperity teaching that is common in popular churches. That “teaching” says you will have good fortune to gain material wealth when you become a Christian. “Just ask,” they say, “and God will give you what you want if you have true faith.”
   As we know, that distorts God’s Word and recreates God in our image. The true gospel is the good news that teaches God guarantees the riches of a loving, eternal relationship with God. God’s fortune is his grace. It is his mercy to restore us from death’s exile into God’s eternal home. “Restore my fortune.” is an appropriate prayer if we have been weak in our faith or neglected God’s Word. One of Scripture’s great restoration prayers is David’s plea: “Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.” (Psalms 51:12)
   That is the Jews’ prayer here. They have God’s good news to welcome them out of exile, return to Judah, build a new Temple in Jerusalem, farm the fertile land and begin businesses. The Jews’ rejoice. And they pray for a true relationship between themselves and the LORD God.
   In all this, though, it seems the Jews wonder, “Will God care for us? After all, he is the One who sent our families into exile 70 years ago. Will the Judge, the Conqueror, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies consider his people with kindness? Will he restore us to himself?”
   God’s story tells us he will because he has promised he will. Refer to our teaching on Amos 9:11-12 A Promise of Restoration “In that day I will restore the fallen house of David. I will repair its damaged walls. From the ruins I will rebuild it and restore its former glory.”
   I pray such Scripture will remove any doubts that keep you from a full faith in God. May his Spirit restore your mind to know God is a good Father, who keeps his promises to be the God of those who seek him.