主題---“凡事感謝” （星期五～日）

本週牧師證道經節: 詩篇126篇

126:1 上主帶我們返回錫安的時候【93】，我們像作了一場夢。

126:2 我們歡笑；我們快樂歌唱。別的國家就議論說：上主為他們成就了大事。

126:3 是的，他為我們成就了大事；我們多麼快樂啊！

126:4 上主啊，求你把我們帶回故土，像雨把水帶回乾涸的河道。

126:5 願含淚撒種的人都歡呼收割！

126:6 帶著種子流淚出去的人，要抱著禾捆歡樂地回來。

Scriptures: Psalm 126


1 When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion,
we were like men who dreamed.


2 Our mouths were filled with laughter, 

our tongues with songs of joy. 

Then it was said among the nations, 

"The LORD has done great things for them."


3 The LORD has done great things for us, 

and we are filled with joy.


4 Restore our fortunes, O LORD, 

like streams in the Negev.


5 Those who sow in tears 

will reap with songs of joy.


6 He who goes out weeping, 

carrying seed to sow, 

will return with songs of joy, 

carrying sheaves with him.

Notes:

Psalm 126 is a song of ascends that was probably recited by Israelites as they ‘go up’ to Jerusalem. We could in fact read from Psalm 120 to 133 as a distinct group, where P.120 begins with a person in distress, in P.121 he decided to make a journey to Jerusalem, in P.122-125 he is lifting up his eyes to the LORD whose throne is in heaven, and in P.126 he is reflecting on what Jerusalem signifies.


The structure of Ps. 126 has three distinct parts. It begins with a backward look at a great act of deliverance (the great things), then continues with a prayer for something now (the little things), and concludes with an oracle of assurance (in all things).

1. 從大事來獻上感謝 Giving Thanks in Great Things

When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion, we were like men who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them." (v.1-2)


The probable historical context of Psalm 126 is the return from exile in 539 B.C. The distinct feature of this psalm in the dreamy and suggestive language used – “we were like men who dreamed”. The word ‘dream’ can also be translated to ‘be strong’. So we can say those who are restored by the LORD are strong enough that they can allow their hearts and mind to dream.


But, the people not only dream or are strong, they also laugh. The Hebrew word ‘rinah’, the “shout of joy” appears three times in this Psalm. They describe the uncontrollable enthusiasm of the one delivered by the hands of God. Laughter is a proper response to God as we reflect on God’s great act of deliverances in the past. As we think back to all those wonderful things that God has done, isn’t laughter the best way to demonstrate our hearts of thanksgiving?


Reflection: Can you think of something that God has done, either in history or in your life, that compels you to laugh in joyful thanksgiving?


反省思考: 請你回憶過去的日子當中，神有沒有做過一些讓你感恩而喜樂的事情？

1. 在微小的事情，獻上感謝 Giving Thanks in Little Things

Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like streams in the Negev. (v.4)


We can’t eat yesterday’s manna or rely simply on the great acts of God in the past. The Psalmist has enjoyed God's salvation; joy was coming from the heart; but it isn't enough. There is need for restored fortunes once more. The phrase "restore our fortunes" is, literally, "(re)turn our returnings". In other words, 'turn our fortunes once again, O God.'


The Negev is located in the most southern part of Israel. It is a dry and parched land for most of the year except right after a winter storm where the Negev would literally flow with a torrent of water. So much water that when properly diverted and stored, it is enough to sustain life through agricultural activities for the entire year.


In the midst of a psalm of thanksgiving, God honors our pleads for continuing restoration.


Reflection: What do I need from God that would continue to sustain my life and my daily needs?


反省思考: 為了維持每日生活所需，我想要向神要什麼？

1. 凡事感謝 Giving Thanks in All Things

Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him. (v.5-6)


The Psalm ends on an "up" note. Even though deliverance is not yet in hand, there is a sense that it will happen. It will happen just as surely as the crops come up after one has faithfully planted them. 


Why does one weep when planting the crops? Why do we "sow in tears?" Perhaps because we recognize that some kind of death happens when the earth is broken up. The seeds die and turn into something else. But the sadness is soon turned to joy when the crop comes up. So the one who sows will come home with shouts of joy.


I think the deepest Biblical theological reflection on this verse is in the Gospel of John. Jesus speaks of his own life, "Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit" (John 12:24). And again, from the same Gospel: "Very truly, I tell you, you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice; you will have pain, but your pain will turn into joy" (16:20).


Reflection: Even as we ‘sow in tears’, how do we maintain a thankful heart?


反省思考: 我們如何能夠在流淚撒種的同時，也能持有感恩的心？

---

代禱事項

為教會

-- 為本教會吳柏翰牧師的牧會

-- 為教會的青少年事工禱告

-- 求神復興我們同工開始 求神復興同工禱告的心（TRC禱告部落格）

-- 為週二晚上禱告會---雅各書（第4章 由吳柏翰牧師主裡 ）

-- 10月16日(本週五) 晚上7:30青少年團契及大專團契聯合聚會，主題『立約的神』由吳柏翰牧師帶領

-- 為教會要尋求聘請一位俱備電腦文書處理及中,英文說寫流利的幹事，求神預備

-- 為新來的會友和契友禱告

-- 本會將在12月20日聖誕節舉行洗禮典和接納新會友。凡受聖靈感動，願意受洗加入教會的兄姊，即日起請向吳柏翰牧師或蔡穎仁長老報名,報名將在11月8日截止。

-- 請多鼓勵您身旁的年輕人來加入靈修默想禱告的行列！

-- A baptismal service will be held on Christmas Sunday, December 20. Anyone wishing to be baptized or to become member of TRC should speak to Rev. Paul Wu or Elder Jeason Tsai . Deadline is November 8th.

為肢體

-- 為12月預備的慕道受洗的朋友

-- 為社青面對事業上和工作上的壓力

-- 為黃Greg 要帶領孩子適應新環境新語言和新學校禱告

-- 為徐太太和他的女兒Melody 適應新環境禱告

-- 為大專團契許多契友這幾天要面對考試禱告

-- 請為TMR長老教會的復興禱告

-- 為江宜萱姊妹背痛禱告求主醫治

感謝事項

-- 感謝主-上周日，本會差派Amos 長老和大專團契會長Joseph，前往TMR長老教會報告台灣88水災狀況

-- 感謝主- 上禮拜六的美編班有16個人參加完成結業

-- 感謝主- Superkids 第三分店 VSL在10/05已經完成開幕禮拜

-- 感謝TMR教會願意捐款兩百元幫助台灣，他們教會的會友連主日學大概二十多人而已 (這麼少人還可以奉獻這麼多 實在很甘心)