Gratitude and Hope

A Reflection on the Psalm for Sunday, October 27th, 2024:
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Psalm 126

R. The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.

When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy. 

R. The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.

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 rejoiced.

R. The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.

Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the watercourses in the desert of the Negev. May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy.

R. The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.

Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves.

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Pause. Pray. Reflect.

As I meditate on the words of this passage, my heart is filled with joy and gratitude, much like the people of Zion must have felt.

Time and time again, the Lord has been merciful and gracious to me. During my humble and staunchly Christian upbringing, I was taught to lean on God’s Word, especially the Ten Commandments. I believed that following these Christian principles would guarantee an easy path in life, where everything would fall into place. However, as I grew older, I realized that being a Christian does not mean the road will always be easy. 

Like the Israelites who praised God, saying, “When the Lord turned back our captivity, we were like those who dream,” I have learned to acknowledge God’s many blessings, deliverances, and victories.

Trials and temptations have been part of my journey with Christ, but knowing and declaring the Word of God has helped me navigate the dark moments in my spiritual life. I have come to understand the full meaning of both sorrow and joy. In tough seasons, I wept and questioned God’s presence, wondering, “Does the One who made the eyes not see?” and “Does the One who made the ear not hear?” Yet, in those moments, the Holy Spirit would comfort me through songs like It Is Well with My Soul, reminding me that God had not forgotten me nor forsaken me.

There was a time when I lost many dear people, especially in ministry, and faced persecution from church leaders when I advocated for the Church to be a place of solace rather than judgment. Despite these challenges, I remained committed to serving God and I believed that God never abandons the work He begins. I prayed, fasted, and patiently waited, holding on to his promises. Three years down the line, God answered my prayers with countless blessings and opened new doors, offering me a fresh start. 

Family and friends who know my faith journey join me in praising God for His vindication, deliverance, and restoration. I have come to understand that trials are opportunities to encourage others to journey through tough seasons in their faith. Through it all, I never lost my hope and my yearning to praise God. Friends would often ask me how I remained calm, and my answer was always, “If God is for you, who can be against you?” 

Today, I am full of gladness and gratitude because my test has become a testimony. I am reminded of God’s unfailing love, faithfulness, and His power to turn mourning into dancing and sorrow into joy.

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your comforting presence and the hope that You provide during the difficult seasons of our faith journey. Amen.



​Michaelina Dawson-Otoo

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