Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 28

Thanksgiving Month Introduction...

Psalm 126:1-6
（Memorization Scripture 1-6）
1 When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion,
We were like those who dream.
2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, And our tongue with singing.
Then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us, And we are glad.
4 Bring back our captivity, O Lord, As the streams in the South.
5 Those who sow in tears, Shall reap in joy.
6 He who continually goes forth weeping, Bearing seed for sowing,
Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, Bringing his sheaves with him.

【Reflection】The more we realize the great changes that have taken place in us since being saved by Christ (as seen in the before and after comparison in verses 4-6), the broader and deeper our gratitude towards God becomes because He has truly done great things for us. This psalm helps us understand that the people being able to return from the Babylonian captivity in the sixth century BC (as recorded in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah) was entirely due to God's grace, and not just a result of the policies of the King Cyrus of Persia. Their rejoicing was not only because they could go back home, but also because God's people could once again enjoy the abundant life and presence that God had originally promised them. Just as the dry southern land of Israel had rivers flowing again after a downpour, the praises, laughter, and hopes of the returning people were also restored. Those who went out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them, for indeed God has done great things for them.
Let us today thank God together, for in Christ, He has brought us, who were once captives, back into His presence, and now we are able to abide in Him, be filled with Him, and find our delight in Him!

【感恩月簡介】...

詩篇 126:1-6
(背誦經文:1-6)
1 當耶和華將那些被擄的帶回錫安的時候，我們好像做夢的人。
2 我們滿口喜笑、滿舌歡呼的時候，外邦中就有人說：「耶和華為他們行了大事！」
3 耶和華果然為我們行了大事，我們就歡喜。
4 耶和華啊，求祢使我們被擄的人歸回，好像南地的河水復流。
5 流淚撒種的，必歡呼收割。
6 那帶種流淚出去的，必要歡歡樂樂地帶禾捆回來。

【心得分享】我們越認識到自己被基督拯救之後有了多麼大的改變（如同4-6節中的前後對比），我們對 神的感謝就越廣越深，因為祂果然為我們行了大事。這篇上行之詩幫助我們認識到，百姓能在主前六世紀得以從巴比倫被擄之地歸回（請看以斯拉記和尼希米記），完全是主的恩典，而不僅是波斯王古列的政策使然。他們歡呼不只是因為可以回家，也是因為 神的百姓又可以享受到 神原先應許要賜給他們的豐富生命與同在。就像以色列乾旱的南地在暴雨之後河水復流，歸回百姓的讚美、笑聲和盼望也被恢復了；原來那些帶著種子流淚出去的，必要歡歡樂樂地帶著禾捆回來；因 神果然為他們行了大事。
讓我們今天一起感謝 神，因祂在基督裡把我們這些原本被擄的人帶回到祂的同在中，如今我們得以住在祂裡面，被祂充滿，以祂為樂！