Dream It

“« A Song of degrees. » When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.” (Ps 126:1-2 AV)

 

The writer is most likely referring to the return of Israel to Jerusalem for the rebuilding of the Temple and the wall which surrounded the city.  No doubt there were feelings they never experienced before.  Being released from servitude and given the liberty to return to their own country was to them, a blessing greater than a fantastical and wonderful dream.  They couldn’t believe it.  All they knew changed.  They no liner lived at the mercy of another country or king.  They had the liberty to till their own lands.  They had the freedom to assemble and worship as the LORD directed.  This did not come without problems.  The book of Nehemiah tells us many of the difficulties and hindrances to their new-found liberty.  But to be free was greater than to be captive.  To have the ability to follow one’s own conscience even if it meant more work or more trials of life was a dream greater than the security of captivity.  To have options rather than a determined course of life at the beck and call of others was far greater.  If they were going to fail, it would be their own doing.  If they were going to suffer, it would be for the glory of God rather than the whims of a pagan king.  They were free!  The result is industriousness of heart and body.  Their freedom meant freedom from oppression.  It meant more could be done for God and not less.  Their dream came true!

At one of our churches, we had a rather robust children’s program.  It was one we created.  Modeled after existing ones like Awana or Kings Kids, the point was to learn some Bible truth, memorize verses, and then socialize with children their own age learning cooperative skills usually around a challenging task or game.  The games we played were not competition-type games like basketball, baseball, or dodgeball.  They were more skill-oriented in teaching life skills like problem-solving and task completion.  We worked with disadvantaged children.  Children who came from broken homes and who had discipline issues.  One of the tools in our toolbox was to sit them out of activities if they did not work hard and behave themselves during our lesson time and memorization time.  Now, mind you, the activity time was not a free-for-all sort of affair.  There was a point to the activity and there was work involved.  It might have been a maze that the team helped a member navigate while blindfolded.  It might have been a paper airplane fight that took some assembly, math, and strategy.  There was crab soccer with a nerf ball or four-girls-on-a-couch.  The games we had took some thinking and cooperation.  So, what was more appealing?  Sitting on the bleachers watching their friends have fun while they worked at it?  Was their misbehavior worth the time they were spending isolated from all the activity?  One thing I can tell you.  When released from their timed isolation, they became an entirely new person.  Well behaved, compliant, and filled with happiness.  What they wanted all along was given and their lives were changed for the better.

Sin is a horrible task-master.  It captivates us in such a way as to keep us from the true joy of living for God.  There are always consequences.  There are always limitations.  To be free from our sin is every saint’s desire.  We pray to that end.  We confess to that end.  We forsake that we might be set at liberty.  We study.  We read.  We seek the leading of the Holy Spirit.  We ask for conviction on our souls.  We welcome correction that comes our way.  We want all these things because we know as long as sin reigns in our mortal bodies, we are not truly free.  Christ came to set the captives free!  He came that sin might be destroyed.  He came that we might walk at liberty.  These things He promises if we will simply yield to the means of setting us free.  The invitation is sent out.  All we must do is fall at the foot of the cross, confess, forsake, and take up the cross of sacrifice and obedience all under the power of faith.  This is our hope.  This is the promise.  And when He finally delivers, we will be like those who dream.  We will shout.  We will testify to the goodness of God.  We will share will all those who will bend and ear that God is good and has given the sinner a way out of his sin.  This is the dream.  This dream will become reality.  Let us with patience wait for it. Strive after it.  Let us never cease to pray for it, look for it, and welcome it when it comes.  He waits to set at liberty all who desire to be free!