DREAMS CAN COME TRUE –

As in the previous psalm, the possibility of some pilgrims being sidetracked and becoming distracted on their journey is addressed again. Only this time, the compilers of the Songs of Ascent wanted to choose a psalm that illustrated the ongoing love and care God has in restoring those who lose their way or became captives to what the world has to offer. They wanted pilgrims to know that just because they faltered in their relationship with God, God does not sever His relationship with them. Every believer must realize that life does not function like a lottery; things just don’t happen at random. God is in control of their lives and will fight to keep what He has paid such a high price to ransom.

“When the LORD Eternal restores believers from captivity, it’s like a dream come true; it fills their mouths with laughter, as their voices are filled with songs of joy. Even unbelievers will be prompted to admit, ‘The LORD Eternal performed a miracle on them.’ Yes, the LORD Eternal has performed such miracles for all of us, and we are overjoyed. O LORD Eternal, free even more captives, let them stream back like a river through the desert. Those who wept as they sowed seeds of encouragement will break out in songs of joy as they reap their harvest. Yes, those who went out carrying the Word, will surely return with shouts of joy as they carry in their harvest.” Psalm 126:1-6

Reflection: The Reverend J. Stuart Holden was the vicar of St. Paul’s Church, Portman Square, London, England. He had made plans to depart for America aboard the new luxury ship Titanic to speak at the Christian Conservation Congress (a six-day convention opening at Carnegie Hall on April 20, 1912). On April 9, 1912, one day before sailing, the Rev. Holden postponed his trip to stay at his wife’s side because she suddenly fell ill. They were booked into Cabin D-1 on the Titanic. After hearing a bout the sinking of this giant ship, Rev. Holden was telling friends about an old Scottish mansion near his little summer home back in Scotland that had been made famous by well-known artists who covered the walls in one of the rooms with sketches. One evening someone accidentally spilled a pitcher of soda water on one of the fresh paintings, leaving an ugly, runny stain. Sir Edwin Henry Landseer, an outstanding English painter happened to be a guest in the house at that time. A few days later the family went out and he stayed behind. With a few masterful strokes of a piece of charcoal, that unsightly spot became the outline of a beautiful waterfall, bordered by trees and wildlife. He had turned that disfigured wall into one of his most beautiful depictions of Scottish countryside.

Rev. Holden wanted listeners to see the connection between the unfortunate cancellation of his trip to America with the accidental spill of soda water, but how God turned it into a wonderful miracle of allowing him to continue living and ministering the Word to those who might otherwise have been lost. Likewise, the Psalmist saw those who were sitting in captivity because of the tragic disaster of a heathen king’s invasion of God’s people, as victims of a catastrophe brought on by straying from God and His Word. He too wanted a miracle of redemption and restoration; he also wanted God to do what Gloria Gaither later expressed in her song, “Something Beautiful.” So to all believers who find themselves sidelined and captive to things offered them by the world, let this psalm and Rev. Holden’s wonderful story be an encouragement to you. And, like Gloria Gaither writes in her song, “If all you have to offer Him is brokenness and strife, let Him make something beautiful out of your life.”