Those who sow in tears

....Shall reap in joy. He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him (Psalm 126:5, 6).  As verse 1 makes clear,  the Psalmist had experienced God's faithfulness in this Biblical principle,  as in the long exile in Babylon they had doubtless sown in prayer and in tears, waiting for the promised return to Jerusalem (Zion). Indeed when the Lord had brought back the captives to Jerusalem they were “like men that dreamed,” scarcely able to believe the reality of the fulfillment of their prayers. Like the disciples on the Emmaus road,  they were hard pressed  to believe “for joy” that Jesus was alive (Luke 24:41).

In many ways the Psalm is a parable of salvation, and the joy thereof. Many of us only came to the Lord through deep pain, and many times,  like Israel, it was pain of our own making. In verse 4 the Psalmist prays for God to bring back the rest of the captives who were scattered,  and not yet brought home to Zion. Likewise in the aftermath of our salvation,  there are many things that need to be cleared up. There are loved ones still not saved,  there are relationships that need to be reconciled and restored, and then there is the ongoing need for our sanctification, that is our deliverance from the power and the pollution of sin.  None of this is automatic, and our part,  many times,  is to sow in tears, continually going forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, as we deal with the issues that need to be dealt with.

The Lord had promised that the Babylonian captivity would end after a “mere” seventy years (Jeremiah 29:10). Likewise the Lord has given the believer many great and precious promises of deliverance (2 Peter 1:4),  that we need to press into. One that I cling to, is that “when a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him” (Proverbs 16:7). Another relates to the word “continually” in this morning's verses. It is about persistence, faith and being fully engaged in prayer (walking and walking and weeping and sowing seed - verse 6 in the Hebrew). Faith comes in here, because we need to believe and to make our own,  the principle in these verses. The weeper and sower will “doubtless” come again with the harvest, which is the fruit of our prayers.  And it stretches us to continue to believe when the answer is delayed,  but let not the man who doubts think that he shall receive anything from the Lord (James 1:6).


Lord Jesus, You told the father who had brought his child for healing that all things are possible to those who believe. He answered with tears “I believe help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24).  He was being stretched as we are at times too Lord. Well meaning friends,  have asked “What if it does not happen?” But Lord I would, with Patricia King, rather get to heaven and ask why You did not come through for me, than You ask me why I gave up.  You have promised Lord, and You are not a man that You should lie.  I want the World, for Your glory,  to say “The LORD has done great things for him” (verse 2). One thing is for sure Lord,  joy comes in the morning. And for this and many other things,  I give You thanks and praise in Your precious Name Amen