Psalm 126:1-6

The psalmist is referring the time when Israel, as a nation, was exiled to the land of Babylon for seventy years. God had repeatedly warned the Israelites of what would happen if they turned away from Him and pursued the practices and idolatries of the surrounding nations.

Moses, in particular, had cautioned the Israelites right before they entered the Promised land that continued disobedience would cause the land to spew them out:

““Do not defile yourselves in any of these ways, for the people I am driving out before you have defiled themselves in all these ways. Because the entire land has become defiled, I am punishing the people who live there. I will cause the land to vomit them out. You must obey all my decrees and regulations. You must not commit any of these detestable sins. This applies both to native-born Israelites and to the foreigners living among you. “All these detestable activities are practiced by the people of the land where I am taking you, and this is how the land has become defiled. So do not defile the land and give it a reason to vomit you out, as it will vomit out the people who live there now.” ‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭18‬:‭24‬-‭28‬ ‭NLT‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/116/lev.18.24-28.NLT

In this instance reflected in this psalm, God had warned the Israelites of their upcoming captivity through the prophets Jeremiah (in Jeremiah 25) and Ezekiel (in Ezekiel 12), due to their repeated idolatry and spiritual decay.

Jeremiah tells them that the captivity will last for seventy years:

“This entire land will become a desolate wasteland. Israel and her neighboring lands will serve the king of Babylon for seventy years.” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭25‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/116/jer.25.11.NLT

And he speaks of their return:

“This is what the Lord says: “You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.”” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭10‬-‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/116/jer.29.10-14.NLT

Many times, Jeremiah 29:11 is quoted as an encouragement to people, but in this context, it is even more impactful. God is saying that even in spite of their disobedience, His good plans are still available to them should they return to Him.

How unlike the world! The world is very much a scorekeeper and people’s lives are forever labeled—at least in its in eyes—for past misdeeds. Not so with God. Every day can be a brand-new start. When He says He casts away our sins as far as the east is from the west, He means it. The world may not accept you, but He will.

I don’t know of one person who doesn’t regret things they’ve done in the past. And yet God offers us the gift of forgiveness and acceptance through His Son Jesus. Why not take Him up on His offer?

God always follows through with what He says.