_When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion._ A POLITICAL FACT THAT IS EMBLEMATIC, AND A HUMAN EXPERIENCE THAT IS COMMON I. A political fact, emblematic of moral restoration. The political fact here celebrated is the return of the Jews from Babylonian thraldom, through the interposition of C... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then was our mouth filled with laughter._ THE RAPTURE OF DELIVERANCE I. The joy of the returning Jew. 1. Bewildering. (1) The suddenness of it. (2) The instrument of it. Cyrus--a heathen. 2. Rapturous. (1) Babylon left behind. (2) The exiles nearing home. 3. Reasonable. II. The joy of a r... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Lord hath done great things for us._ GREAT THINGS FOR US I. The fact propounded. Note the personality of the statement. “For us.” 1. As regards our country. Where is there country so fair or land so fertile as ours? Where is such freedom and peace enjoyed? 2. As regards our religious privil... [ Continue Reading ]
_Turn again our captivity, O Lord._ THE THANKFUL PRAY For they have proved the use of prayer. As prayer found cause for praise, gratitude sees reason for renewed supplication. “The Lord turned Himself to the turning of Zion.” God returns to His people when they return to Him (Deuteronomy 4:30; Deut... [ Continue Reading ]
_They that sow in tears shall reap in joy._ SOWING AND REAPING Painful work often finds pleasant reward. The way through the Red Sea and the howling wilderness leads to a fair and fruitful land flowing with milk and honey. Such is God’s law of compensation, always and everywhere working out its in... [ Continue Reading ]
_He that goeth forth and weepeth._ TEARFUL SOWING AND JOYFUL REAPING All life is a sowing. Some sow to the lusts of the flesh. A chosen company sow to the spirit. These often sow in sadness, for such sowing involves self-denial and struggling against the flesh. But their reaping will compensate th... [ Continue Reading ]