Sow In Tears

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Scripture:

Psa. 126:5     May those who sow in tears
        reap with shouts of joy.
Psa. 126:6     Those who go out weeping,
        bearing the seed for sowing,
    shall come home with shouts of joy,
        carrying their sheaves.

Observation:

This Psalm was probably written during the time of Ezra as the children of Israel were returning from exile.  There were those who were coming home, and yet, there were others who had not yet begun the journey.  The days were difficult but the admonition here is to keep at the task ahead, even when it is difficult.  While there may be a season of tears, eventually there will be time to reap a harvest with joy.  If those in exile would keep at the work, the day would come when they would reap their own harvest -- and they would be able to come home and celebrate with great joy.

Application:

While we may not be in exile, there are times that we may feel as if we are facing insurmountable odds in life.  As I hear about the challenges some are facing these days, I know that there are rough days.  Some are dealing with the death of a loved one.  Another a debilitating illness.  Others have obstacles placed in their path that make work and everyday life a challenge.  But in the midst of it all we find this reminder from the Psalmist.  The challenge here is not to give up.  The farmer, even in the face of difficulties, goes forward and plants seed. 

Even through tears, the work goes on, slowly and methodically.  Isn't this true for us as well?  When things get tough, we cannot give up, but we must continue to press on, maybe even with tears.  It is in those moments of tears that the Lord sustains us and helps us to continue with his work of sowing.  Remember, Jesus said, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."  (Matthew 5:4)  Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, is our comforter and he comforts us in our time of weeping.  The promise is to hold on-- for if we are faithful through our tears, there will eventually come a day when we will "reap with shouts of joy."  In the meantime we may need to continue to faithfully sow in tears.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for the sweetness of your presence.  Amen.

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