Songs of Joy

 

Psalm 126:1-6

Key Verse 126:6

He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.

Today we would like to think about the joy we have in the Lord, and the joy we are to bring about in the lives of those who are to be saved in the Lord. Let us think about this passage in two parts: the first part has to do with the joy as an individual experience, whereas the second part has to with the joy as a collective experience.  

 

First, the joy we have in the Lord 

 

The great thanks topic for those who are in the Lord comes from the joy of salvation that is in him. Look at verse 1-2a. "When the Lord brought the captives back to Zion we were like men who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy." Here the word "Zion" refers to the presence of the Lord. "Captives" denotes those who are yet to secure the fellowship with the Lord. They are described as captives because they are yet to secure the freedom found only in the Lord, for the Bible says that it is for freedom that Christ has set us free (Galatians 5:1). 

We can categorize all peoples on earth into two categories: captives and freed men. What makes man to be either a captive or a freed man depends on his relationship with Jesus Christ; when one knows Jesus in person, and remains connected with Him, he has freedom and lives as a freed man. By the same token, when one does not know Jesus the Savior, and therefore remains disconnected from him, one remains condemned to live as a captive. 

We can better understand this phenomenon when we think about who the Lord is and what the Lord does. As the Bible maintains, the Lord is not only the Creator but also the sustainer of his creation; by the power of his word, the Lord created all that are in existence. Having created the universe and everything in it, the Lord sustains the universe and every thing in it, and he does so in perfect harmony and order. 

Naturally, when one unites himself with the Lord, the Lord keeps his life in order. The Lord nurtures and sustains that person's life in perfect harmony. When this happens to a man, one thing will certainly happen to him, that is, joy becomes the order of his life. But for those who do not know the Lord and remain disconnected from the Lord, instead of harmony and order, disharmony and disorder rule his life.

 

Verse 1b continues to read, "…we were like men who dreamed." But he is not dreaming. Joy is real. The only reason the psalmist says he felt like he was dreaming was because the joy he had was too good to believe. Look at verse 2: "Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy." This passage indicates that the joy one has in the Lord is independent of one's external circumstances, such as material possessions or social status. It is purely dependant on one's relationship with the Lord, for the joy he has stems directly from the Lord.  

 

We can better understand this phenomenon when we think about the use of this Psalm. It is called a “Song of Ascents.” “Ascents” refers to the holy pilgrimage the Israelites were called to make. Three times a year the Israelites were asked to leave their own places, go to Jerusalem, and present themselves before the Lord. In so doing they had to take days, weeks, and even months off. Those who ran their own businesses had to close their shops and go to meet the Lord in Jerusalem. To make the journey they had to leave mundane things behind and thereby rise from a material and human level to God's level. In this way they detached themselves from what drains their energy, and attached themselves to the Lord, the source of energy, love and power. 

Viewed this way, we can understand that the songs of ascents represent God's wisdom – the wisdom to keep his children rooted in him, rather than in the things of this world, because God alone is the source of power and strength, peace and joy. In his wisdom God wants his children to secure the fellowship with Him that as his children come to him, he would fill their mouths with laughter and their tongues with songs of joy. For this reason let us encourage one another to devote ourselves to the Lord, by eating daily bread, praying deeply to the Lord, and medicating on His word daily. 

Look at verse 2b. “Then it was said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.’” Here "the nations" refers to the outsiders, that is, those who do not know the Lord. "Great things" stands for the work of salvation, the work that saves the captives from a captive condition to a freed state. As they watch believers enjoying a close relationship with the Lord and remain filled with the joy of salvation, they are amazed, and say, "The Lord has done great things for them." But they themselves do not know the kind of joy believers have. 

But the believers know the joy of life in the Lord, so they say, "The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy." 

 

We are thankful to the Lord not just for the joy of salvation but for the blessed future in the Lord. Look at verse 4. "Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like streams in the Negev." When one hears the word "fortunes" one might conjure up in his mind billions of dollars owned by the CEO's of the fortune 500 companies. However the fortunes the psalmist talks about are far greater in value and broader diverse in kinds than these. Categorically when the author prayed, "Restore our fortunes," he meant to reinstate the position and privileges he had as a child of God prior to the fall. 

Just think about the life of Adam before and after his fall. Before the fall, he enjoyed the blessed position as a child of God. As a child of God he had God as His Father who in turn met the deepest needs he had for life. In Genesis 1-2 we see Adam living in the Garden of Eden where the Lord God blessed him with all sorts of blessings. God made his life truly abundant. Yes, the CEO's of fortune 500 companies are fortunate, that they can travel first class, but constantly they have to worry about their competitors; day in and out they have to be concerned about the stock prices or interest rates going up or down; but it was not the case with Adam and Eve. Because God sustained the environment in perfect harmony and order, they did not need to worry about a thing. All they needed to do was to love the Lord and work with the Lord. And for them the work itself was a source of sheer joy. 

But after the fall, what happened to Adam? He lost everything! Then he had to toil all the days of his life only to return to dust. Referring to an empty state like this, the Psalmist says, "Restore our fortunes, O, Lord, like streams in the Negev." In the Negev there is nothing but hot desert with lime stones scattered here and there. Due to his unbelief and disobedience, the first man Adam had to live in a world which is like the Negev. 

But when one is in Jesus, the outlook of his life changes so that he can see streams of living water flowing in the Negev. 

We can understand this change when we think about Jesus and his disciples. While on earth it appeared that Jesus lived in poverty. But in essence he lived the richest life among all. Although he did not carry even one red cent in his pocket, and although all that he possessed were his clothes and a pair of sandals, he lived as the richest person in all generations, for out of the richness, he made all who came to him to be rich. Just think about what Jesus did in feeding a multitude of people with five loaves of bread and two small fish. As Shepherd Jim Tonne said in his message, with a small amount of food Jesus was able to feed more than 5,000. 

 

“Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like streams in the Negev!” Indeed, we have a great thanks topic in the Lord. Let us be thankful for the blessed status with the blessed inheritance that is ours to enjoy beginning here and now. 

 

Second, the joy we are to bring about in the lives of all peoples on earth 

 

What then should we do with the blessed status that comes with blessed inheritance? Look at verse 5. "Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy." This passage indicates that God saves his people and blesses them for a grander purpose, that is, to save all peoples on earth in and through their services in the Lord. 

In the case of the first man Adam, the Lord God put Adam in the Garden of Eden to work and take care of the garden, and as he works in it and takes care of it, God's blessings would flow to the four corners of the world. In the case of Abraham, he was called by God so that as he believes and obeys the Lord, the Lord would establish him as a source of blessing for all peoples on earth.

 

In the book of Exodus we see the same purpose continuing. After saving the Israelites out of Egypt, the Lord invited them to Mt. Horeb and secured a covenant relationship with them, saying, "Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, out of all nations, you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." (Exo 19:5-6)

 

When Jesus came and called his disciples, he commissioned them with the same purpose, saying, "Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." 

 

Consistent with this blessed purpose, in verses 5-6, it is written: "Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping carrying seed to sow will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him." Here "seed" refers to the word of God, particularly, the gospel of Jesus. The point of the good news is that for those who repent and put their trust in Jesus, God forgives them of their sins and saves them into his presence, so that they would no longer be condemned but live as God's children. Then, on the last day, when Jesus comes again, Jesus will raise them. (John 6:40,54)

 

Sowing seed is not easy. It comes with many difficulties and hardships. But as one sows seed, even in tears, he should be able to reap with songs of joy. The joy of reaping the harvest will be far greater than the pain and sorrow one has to undergo for sowing. According to verse 6, one sows a handful of seed but he will return carrying sheaves with him. 

 

During the last three weeks I was able to confirm this Biblical truth on sowing and reaping. God's work in Latin America is the case in point. From August 2-5, in Mexico, we had a Latin American conference. During the conference we could see that native shepherds and shepherdesses are producing fruit in their home countries; they also send out missionaries to other Latin American nations. God's work in Latin America did not arise without someone sowing seed: It all began with Missionary Jose Ahn going out to the Latin American Continent and sowing seed in tears. In 1974, at Chongno UBF, Seoul, Korea, we prayed for a way to make disciples of all nations. One day Shepherd Jose Ahn went out to Chongno Street in Seoul, Korea and saw a foreigner passing by. He remembered Jesus' world mission command to make disciples of all nations. So by faith he struck up a conversation with her. It turned out that she was from Columbia and did not speak Korean; she spoke only Spanish. But somehow Jose Ahn secured her phone number and made a one to one Bible study appointment. In order to teach her the Bible in Spanish, Jose Ahn started learning Spanish. At that time Jose Ahn was a diplomat working for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In 1975, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs offered him an opportunity to study foreign languages in foreign countries for one year. Because he had had a hard time to teach the Bible to a sister from Columbia in Spanish, he applied to go to Spain so he could learn Spanish. God blessed his move. In 1976, the Korean government gave him the opportunity to go to Guatemala as a diplomat. Despite busy schedules as a consul at the consular office, he went out to the University of Guatemala, fished students, and taught the Bible. During three years of Bible studies, many students came and left. But one person, Silvia, remained. She also established a house church with Moses Kang. Leaving Silvia Kang's family behind, he came back to Korea. Silvia however was too weak to stand on her own. So she went to a local church. In 1982, the Lord opened up the opportunity for Missionary Jose Ahn to go to Mexico as a diplomat. For two years he sowed seed with many tears. Many students came and left. But the Lord God sent him Shepherd Gustavo and Shepherdess Amalia. The two established a house church. Missionary Jose Ahn knew that the Korean government would call him back to Korea in a year or so. So he prayed for someone to succeed his ministry in Mexico. The Lord answered his prayer and in the same year sent Missionary Abraham Hwang and Missionary Timothy Rhee to Mexico as missionaries. Missionary Jose Ahn gladly invited them to his apartment and had a common life with them. This lasted one year. Then in 1985, Missionary Jose Ahn went back to Korea. Missionary Abraham Hwang became the director of Mexico UBF. Missionary Timothy Rhee went out to pioneer Guadalajara. 

Since Missionary Jose Ahn first stepped into the Latin American continent in 1975, a little over three decades have passed. During the past three decades the Lord enabled us to pioneer 27 chapters in 19 Latin American countries. In Mexico alone the Lord securely established 8 chapters (Mexico C.U.; Acatian; Azcapotzalco; Iztacala; Guadalajara; Monterey 2 Chapters; Morelia; and Saltillo). Within this year we pray to pioneer three new countries: Haiti, Trinidad Tobago, and Jamaica. At the 2007 Latin American conference only Latin American shepherds and missionaries spoke as messengers. God's work is so marvelous that we all praised the Lord with songs of joy. Indeed, the Latin American conference powerfully evidences that one goes out to sow seed in tears, but returns with sheaves and songs of joy. 

 

I could see the same truth working in the African continent. In 1988, the Lord began the pioneering work in Africa by sending Missionary James Lee to Malawi as an employee of the Korean Embassy. In 1991, Missionary Jackie Yoon was dispatched to Kenya to work at the Korean consular office in Kenya, Nairobi. In 1992, she established a house church with Missionary Mark Yoon. In the same year, through the KOICA (Korean international cooperation agency), Dr. Samuel Yoo went out to Uganda as a medical doctor working at one of the hospitals in Uganda. In 1993, Shepherd Daniel Rhee of Namsan UBF visited Africa to hold the first African Summer Bible conference in Kenya, Nairobi. At that time only a handful of Korean missionaries attended the conference (James Lee of Malawi, Mark and Jackie Yoon, and Andrew Kim of Sudan). Since then other missionaries went out to African countries. At first it looked impossible for us to establish African native students as shepherds and missionaries. But nothing is impossible with God. Despite difficulties and challenges, our missionaries kept praying that Africa would be a missionary sending continent. What did the Lord do then for the last two decades in Africa? There are 54 countries in the African continent. Out of them the Lord pioneered 14 countries (Egypt, Libya, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Sudan, S. Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.) Shepherd Moses Oyor worked as a professor shepherd, teaching environmental science at the University of Khartoum. But in obedience to the Lord's world mission command, he prayed to go out as a missionary. The Lord answered his prayer. Two years ago the Lord opened the way for him to pioneer Egypt University as a PhD student on a government scholarship program. In the past he used to hate Muslims. The college campus he is pioneering is full of Muslims. Their skin color is relatively fair, but his skin color is true black. As he walks around the campus Arab students who are mostly Muslims look at him and say, "Bonga, bonga," meaning, "Monkey, monkey." Yet, he does not hate them. Rather with a big smile, in Jesus', love he invites students to Bible study. 

 

Look at verses 5-6 again. "Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him." In case of Oyo Moses, he does not sow in tears. Rather he sows with a big smile. But, I know in his heart, each time he invites students to Bible studies, he cries out to the Lord asking the Lord to help him not to despair. 

 

"Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him." Thanks and praise be to the Lord for blessing the Latin American Bible Conference. Thanks and praise be to the Lord for granting us the vision to see that Africa would be a missionary sending continent. May the Lord bless the hands of our missionaries and shepherds sowing the seed of the gospel in six continents. May the Lord also bless our prayers to pioneer 561 N. American college campuses. May the Lord be with us, that we would never grow weary in sowing the seed of the gospel in the hearts of college students in our own generation. In the fall semester let us encourage one another for one to one Bible studies with the firm conviction that as we faithfully sow seed the Lord will surely enable us to reap with songs of joy. 

 

One word: songs of joy

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