The Restoration Song - Conclusion

When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.’ The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Restore our fortunes, Lord , like streams in the Negev. Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them. Psalms 126:1‭-‬6 NIVUK https://bible.com/bible/113/psa.126.1-6.NIVUK So in this restoration song we see three things. We see the pure joy of reunions and homecomings during the return of freedom. We see the sudden return of fertility, and how this is a symbol of God's sudden and often cyclical intervention to restore us where once we were barren and unproductive. We see the return of fruitful labour, and how this relates to being able to take decisions on what we do with our income, without being obligated to hand it over to others. As I stated in the introduction, I will never forget the heady days of 1989. They will be forever etched on my memory. Many years later, while my daughter was still in kindergarten, we visited Berlin to see the Christmas markets. It was a fantastic trip. I finally got to see the remains of the Berlin Wall. I don't mind telling you that I was emotional when I touched it. I had a few tears in my eyes, and I don't just mean from the cold. On our way back to the hotel, I asked my daughter what she thought of the Berlin Wall. This was her response. "It was a bit of a mess, Daddy. I don't know why they had to break it down. They should have left it the way it was." Do you know something? I think there would have been many Germans in the 1990s who might have even agreed with her. Reunification with East Germany was hugely costly and messy. Some might say the process still continues even now because parts of the East are still poorer compared to the West. But Germany is one of the strongest countries in Europe, with a strong economy and a strong presence on the world stage. Although the process continues, there is little doubt that great progress has been made. I don't doubt for a moment that our months of Lockdown will cost us years of recovery. Hard, challenging work is ahead. But when those joyous moments of reunion come once the restrictions are lifted, let us never forget them and let us seek to be fully restored, completely free, and enjoying the fruits of a labour blessed by God. This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labour under the sun during the few days of life God has given them – for this is their lot. Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil – this is a gift of God. Ecclesiastes 5:18‭-‬19 NIVUK https://bible.com/bible/113/ecc.5.18-19.NIVUK And may God grant us all this gift. If you have issues with debt, want to live debt free and live in the UK, please contact Christians Against Poverty for further advice.