First Presbyterian Church      Rev. Michael J. Imperiale

Slat Lake City, UtahMarch 26, 2006

“Is Joy Too Good to Be True?”

Psalm 126

Introduction

I don’t know why, but I am fascinated by programs on the history channel, especially the accounts of World War II. Maybe it’s because I grew up with the Sunday afternoon, black and white films of the heroism of American troops doing battle against Nazi Germany or Imperial Japan. For me, some of the most moving scenes view the amazing joy on the faces of prisoners as they were released by Allied forces.

After months or years of internment with daily inspections, bad food, beds of wooden planks in overcrowded, Spartan rooms, with interrogations and intimidation, with ever-present fear of torture, disease or death, suddenly the guards and their dogs were gone. The armed watchtowers were deserted. The gates of barbed wire were flung open. As freedom beckoned these men, their memories of home returned with a new reality of hope. In their shock and surprise, even after all they had been through, there is seen an unspeakable joy as victorious liberators entered the camps.

Only two generations ago, we tend to forget the mess the world was in back then as we try to deal with the mess the world is still in today.

The background of Psalm 126 reminds us how Israel experienced her own internment with the destruction of Jerusalem and the people being carried off into exile by the Assyrians in 721 B.C. and the Babylonians in 586. Far from home, these prisoners died, got assimilated into the general population, or they sustained their Jewish identity and prayed to see Jerusalem once again.

Then the Persians conquered the once-great Babylon, and King Cyrus brought the Hebrews back to Jerusalem and let them rebuilt the temple. Psalm 126 captures the deep feelings of exiles in return as it witnesses to God’s mighty work of redemption.

I. Joy in the Past (vs. 1-3)

“It seemed like a dream,” sings the psalmist,” too good to be true, when God returned Zion’s exiles. We laughed, we sang, we couldn’t believe it. The Lord has done great things for them. The Lord has done great things for us.”

Throughout the Bible, we see individuals, families, and the whole people of God (Israel or the Church) experience times of victory and defeat, successes and failures, living in the promised land and being exiled, hauled off into captivity. Very often the difficulties are a result of God’s judgment for their sin, disobedience or rebellion. And very often the good times were a result of God’s mercy and grace offered and accepted.

Our lives are no different. There are battles to be faced, struggles to endure, and tasks to be pursued in the Christian life. Forging a healthy marriage that honors God and his covenant of love takes time and intention. Raising children in way that they too may come to trust in Jesus Christ has its ups and downs. Getting an education in a secular world without compromising or losing your faith is a special challenge in today’s colleges and universities. Pursuing a career or working hard at a job without giving God the leftovers of your time, energy, or resources is difficult to accomplish.

The good news is that when we are captured by our own failure, sin, addiction, and waywardness, or when we are captured by the effects of the fallen-ness of others, God is still God. In judgment and mercy, with discipline and blessing, through bondage and freedom, the Lord does restore the joy of life, goodness, love, and release.

This is what he did with Adam and Eve, Noah, Moses, Abraham, David, and Israel. This is what Jesus accomplished for all of God’s people including Peter, James, John, Paul, and the New Testament Church. This is what our Savior does for you and me in our day and time and for our church.

“And we are filled with joy. We are one happy people,” sings the psalm. Notice how the verbs are all in the past tense: the Lord brought back, we were like men who dreamed, our mouths were filled with laughter, it was said among the nations, the Lord has done great things. And now “we are filled with joy.”

II. Problems in the Present

I am sorry to say that as a congregation, we are now facing a problem that will take significant time, understanding, conversation, leadership and faith to work through. Pastor Jim is here this morning and will share what’s been going on in his life and how it now brings some changes in our ministry and life together.

For personal reasons, Pastor Jim Teall is announcing his resignation as Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church effective March 31, 2006. We all love Jim and have enjoyed so much our life and ministry together over these past few years. But every so often the challenges and pressures of pastoral leadership do not match up too well with some personal problems and issues that need to be addressed. Pastor Jim has decided for himself and for the congregation that it is best that he step aside from ministry for a time to work through these pressing issues. Clearly we all wish the best for him in healing, renewal, growth and personal health. Please keep Jim in your prayers in the days to come.

III. Joy in the Future (vs. 5-6)

This is a sad day, disappointing, heart-breaking, difficult for me and Jim and for our whole congregation to be sure. Psalm 126, selected for this Sunday long before this challenge emerged for us, finishes by singing: “Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. Whoever goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy.” And so we ask the Lord our God, our merciful Savior, to do it again – to bring refreshing and healing rain to our drought-stricken lives. So that those who plant their crops in despair will shout with joy at harvest. That those who go away with heavy hearts will come home with joy and blessing.

This announcement today is going to have an impact on our congregation, our fellowship, our friendships, our mission and ministry together. It’s my prayer that healing and hope will be afforded to Pastor Jim through the grace of God and the prayers of God’s people. It’s also my prayer that every member and friend of this church will rally around one another, pray with and share with each other, support and encourage me, our session, our staff and congregation.

Following a prayer and benediction, Pastor Jim and I will be in the narthex for those who wish to speak with him or me; our elders will be scattered throughout the sanctuary and two couple from our prayer ministry team will be at the front of the chancel for conversation and prayer.

Let us pray together for Jim, for his future and for our congregation and our future as we respond to God’s word and ask for his guidance and help.