“When the Lord brought back the captive ones of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter and our tongue with joyful shouting; then they said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.’ The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad.”
Psalm 126:1-3 (NASB)
It has been about 2,000 years since Jesus came to die on the cross. Before that, it was more than 4,000 years between the time that Adam sinned and Jesus was born. This means that for most of the time since creation mankind has been captive to sin. However, in our age, God has freed us from this terrible burden.
Because we are freed from sin’s captivity we are most blessed. Instead of taking this for granted, we should have a feeling of disbelief. God did not have to give us a way out of sin, but he decided to do so. In order to give us a way out he had to send his son to be put to death by the very ones who were to be saved. Most of us would not tolerate such circumstances, but God did it willingly. It is beyond our ability to fully comprehend, but when we realize it was specifically for us, it ought to make us the most joyful people on earth.
The world should look at us and see our joy. The world should see the fact that we are different. We know that all our situations here are temporary. Even if we are suffering now, it will seem like such a short time in the end; therefore we have every reason to keep looking ahead expecting the life that is to come. When the world sees how our joy carries us through life they will be reminded of the great things God has done for us. When they see how we live differently from them, because of the things God has done for us, they will glorify him (Job 8:20-22; Mt 5:16; Lk 8:39; I Pe 2:12).
Knowing the great things God has done for us, we are glad.