Upwards and Outwards

Laura Digan September 19, 2026 3 0

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Psalm 126  (NIV-UK)

1 

When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
    we were like those 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, Lord,
    like streams in the Negev.

5 

Those who sow with tears
    will reap with songs of joy.

6 

Those who go out weeping,
    carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
    carrying sheaves with them.

The Bible has a way of finding us.

We open its pages and discover our own hearts already there — our laughter, longing, disappointment and tears. This is why we call it the Living Word. 

Psalm 126 holds weeping and joy together.

But the wonderful thing about scripture is that it does not leave us looking endlessly inwards sitting in our own experience. Gently, God's Word lifts our eyes upwards and outwards.

Look.

Someone is going out to sow — and they are weeping. Walk beside them and share the weight.

Someone is coming home with the harvest — laughing, singing, arms overflowing. Celebrate with them and share their joy.

For this is how community grows.

Not by avoiding one another’s pain, but by entering it. Not by envying another’s joy, but by delighting in it.

We weep together.
We rejoice together.
We sow and gather together.

And somewhere in that sharing, strangers become neighbours and neighbours become family.

For God is there in the tears and the laughter, quietly growing among us a harvest of grace.

Prayer:

God, 

Grow us together with your Word.

Amen.