A CALL TO DISCIPLESHIP PSALMS OF ASCENT JOURNEY INTO JOY Text: Psalm 126

This Psalm makes it very clear that this was a work of God. "When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion... "The LORD has done great things for them... "The LORD has done great things for us..." Psalm 126:1,2,3

SEVERAL KEY THOUGHTS ARE DISPLAYED IN THIS PSALM THAT LINK THE PAST WITH THE FUTURE

I. A SOJOURNING 18. So the LORD was very angry with Israel and removed them from his presence. Only the tribe of Judah was left, 19. and even Judah did not keep the commands of the LORD their God. They followed the practices Israel had introduced." II Kings 17:18-19

I. A SOJOURNING "All this took place because the Israelites had sinned against the LORD their God, who had brought them up out of Egypt from under the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. They worshipped other gods. 8. and followed the practices of the nations the LORD had driven out before them, as well as the practices that the kings of Israel had introduced. 9. The Israelites secretly did things against the LORD their God that were not right. From watchtower to fortified city they built themselves high places in all their towns...II Kings 17:7-9

II. A SORROWING "He who goes out weeping..." Psalm 126:6 "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 11. See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing what concern, what readiness to see justice done." II Corinthians 7:10,11

III. A SOWING “carrying good seed to sow... " Psalm 126:6b

I. A RETURNING “He shall doubtless come again... " Psalm 126:6c (KJV)

II. A REJOICING "songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him." Psalm 126:6

III. A REAPING "songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him." Psalm 126:6