“When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.’ The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad.”
—Psalm 126:1-3 ESV

Psalm 126 is considered a song of lament, but strangely enough it begins on a very positive note: “The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad.”

This is not a toxic positivity that seeks to pretend that things are “just fine.” No, as we will see tomorrow, this psalm is a desperate cry for help.

Psalm 126 affirms the importance of mourning as a biblical practice, but it also teaches us an important lesson: in our worst moments, when everything seems to be going against us, it does us good to remember what God has done for us.

Remember when your mouth was filled with laughter.

Remember when you were like “those who dream.”

Take a moment to proclaim, “The Lord has done great things for me.”

Even in the midst of our pain we can find a joy that surpasses understanding.

Here is a simple prayer to carry with you today:

Inhale: The Lord has done great things for me;
Exhale: I am glad.