Briefing: I have a sealed envelope in my Bible that has the words, "BREAK IN CASE OF EMERGENCY" written on it. It has a list of verses in it that I hope will help me if I ever find myself in a really bad place. This chapter is on that list.

Dispatch (Assignment): Read Psalm 126.

On the Street: Have you ever had a backup plan in place? Something you had planned and prepared for in case of an emergency? Have you ever used an emergency plan? This psalm was not written for this kind of use but it works and has the words we need in those times. In earthly terms, it is like the 911 system. If you are in trouble and need help, you call 911. When the Christian is in trouble and in need of help, we call 911 too but we also have a greater help and hope. We have God on our side.

"When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed." Those who dream are those who still have hope. The people of this psalm were in the place of needing God to step in and save them. There are so many places in the Bible where we see this played out. If we look back at our own lives, I am willing to bet we can see it being played out here, too.

Have you ever watched military movies where the soldiers were in a fierce battle and the friendly planes or helicopters fly over and come to their rescue? The cheers and yells from the soldiers on the ground are what I imagine the people described in verse 2 sounded like. "Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy." God had come to their rescue! We must remember, God can use the military, doctors, law enforcement, and anything else in His creation to pull off His rescues.

Have you ever considered you might have been used by God to carry out His purposes in someone's life? God has used jail and prison to bring people to a saving knowledge of His Son. God takes situations that seem lost and hopeless to work His good and perfect plans out. Sometimes it takes drastic measures to get our attention. Just remember Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." God is for us.

The second part of verse 2 and verse 3 say, "Then it was said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them." The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy." We are the people, just as he acknowledges in verse 3, whom God has done these great things for. He did them for us. The question is, are we praising and shouting for joy? Are we so excited about being rescued that we are telling anyone who will listen? What is our response?

Verses 4 through 6 are a reminder to us when we have not yet experienced the rescue. "Restore our fortunes, Lord, like streams in the Negev." We never want to overlook the references to living water. In John 7:38, Jesus said, "Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them." Seeking living water not only restores our fortunes but can save our souls.

The blessings that come from seeking living water are among those in verse 5-6, "Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them." God is for everyone who chooses the living water of Jesus Christ.

God is our rescuer and redeemer. To the soldiers in the field, God could say, "Who do you think sent the reinforcements?" To the cancer patient who has survived, God could say, "Who do you think trained the doctor and gave him/her the knowledge to operate on you?" To the person saved from the gunman, the rapist, the robber, or the DWI, God could say, "Who do you think called the peace officer to this job and gave him/her the desire to seek justice and righteousness?" God is for us, all we have to do is praise Him for it.

Investigational Resources: Living water scriptures; Zechariah 14:8, John 4:10-11, Revelation 7:17.

Officer Safety Principle: God is always at work in your life, whether you know it or not. He is always there whether you acknowledge it or not. We need to be the example to others of a people who see God at work in our lives and glorify and praise Him.

from Psalms Through the Eyes of a Cop, Volume 2
©by Charles Gilliland. Used by permission.
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