Those Who Sow Weeping

A few weeks ago I wanted to write on this passage, but I didn't. Anyway, now here is what I have to say.

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.
-Psalm 126:5-6

Sometimes here I wonder when or if it will all be worth it. It's hard. You know it, I'm sure. Life isn't easy for anyone. When we try to "sow" seeds for Jesus it only gets harder. This is something that I am sure many of you know as well. 

Psalm 126 recognizes this, and it encourages us saying that though it is hard right now, and though we don't see the fruit of our work, we do not labor in vain. 

Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:58 to ". . . stand firm [my dear brothers and sisters]. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."

At camp this summer someone told me that "the Bible is God's Word. God's Word is God speaking to me." God knows what we are going through. He knows the things that are going to get us down. He knows what things we are going to need to hear to keep going. He knows that. And he gave us the Bible to tell us all these things that He knew we would need to hear someday. {Side note: How cool is that??} He wants us to know that though we ARE going to have trouble in this life and that the work he has for us isn't going to be easy and may in fact be downright painful, our labor in the Lord is not in vain and we who sow weeping will return singing songs of joy once we have seen the harvest of what we had sown. 

This song we sang in church a few weeks ago is what initially prompted this post. Have a listen and think about it. God is good, and He will come through. Your labors are not in vain. Those who sow weeping will go out with songs of joy.

Psalm 126 

Our mouths they were filled,

filled with laughter

Our tongues they were loosed

loosed with joy

Restore us, O Lord

Restore us, O Lord

Although we are weeping,

Lord help us keep sowing,

the seeds of your kingdom,

for the day you will reap them

Your sheaves we will carry,

Lord please do not tarry,

all those who sow weeping

will go out with songs of joy

The nations will say, “He has done great things.”

The nations will sing songs of joy

Restore us, O Lord

Restore us, O Lord