Today we are looking at Psalm 126. This Psalm refers a lot to joy...it does not mean the tendency that some people have, because of their temperament, to be happier than others. The joy here is not a matter of personality.

Our natural dispositions can be influenced and manufactured by many outside influences. This Psalm is not talking about external happiness. Instead, the joy that this Psalm is talking about is a result of being “restored” by God (Psalms 126:1)—not happy because of your genetics but happy because of what God has done for you.

1. Longing for Better Days (vv. 1-3)
2. Learning to Live Here (v. 4)
3. Looking Ahead to the Harvest (vv. 5-6)

Verses 1-3 contain expressions of gratitude to God for a past deliverance. The last three verses (v.4 - 6), are a prayer, a prayer for God to come and do it again, to give another deliverance.

The doctrine of God’s providence teaches us that God is in complete control of all things. Yes, we believe God’s promises. Yes we believe that God is sovereign, but we battle with his delay. “How long must we wait?” or more to the point, “How should we wait?”. How long until my loved one is converted? How long until I overcome my sinful habit(s)? How long until I experience financial relief? How long until the Lord grants employment? How long until a broken relationship is mended? How long until I have a wife, a husband, a child? How long until I am healed? How long until we see Jesus face to face and are transformed into his glorious image? Psalm 126 provides some answers for these questions.