Psalm 126.6 Those
who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy,
carrying sheaves with them.
We might ask, what is on the other side? Difficulty in
life ought to be viewed at least in
that way: what will things be like when
this is over? Nothing on earth lasts forever. There are realms of forever, but for now, they are only shadows on this
earth.
The ancient Jews had been sent into exile for seventy
years. They had been brutally ripped out of their comfort zone and sent into dismal
pagan exile. God deemed it necessary for them to experience His divine
displeasure for their dalliances with pagan religion and false gods. It seems
He said, if that’s what you want I will
give it to you… full measure. So they went into exile even they never thought
the God they worshipped would do such a thing. We should never underestimate
what God will, or won’t do.
It is no wonder, then, that they went out weeping and
ultimately came home rejoicing. Say what you will about nationalism and
patriotism, they are important. They aren’t to be used as weapons, but they are
to be embraced because: home is home.
What would happen to us if our culture was to be suddenly removed and replaced
by something foreign? It would be a hard thing.
The principle of this psalm is sewing and reaping. That seems to be a common thread in the
philosophy of Scripture. They went out (willingly or unwillingly) into exile,
sowing tears. They came home rejoicing carrying promise and provision. The
other side of what they experienced was joy, peace, and promise fulfilled. God
had said He would bring them back.
What about us? Is God in control of our lives or are we just
winging it on our own? If God is in control (not because we say He is, but because He is…) then there is always another side
to things. Whatever we are facing – even with tears – is going to bring about a
harvest of some kind, because it
seems, that is the way God works. Whatever He takes from us (yes, God takes) He
will restore something else to our benefit.
Now, friend, this isn’t meant to be glib; you may be
facing something very difficult in your life; at some point or other, we all
do. But it is meant to be an encouragement that God is with those who trust in
Him. It may not feel like it (as if feelings were the acceptable litmus test to
all the ups and downs of life) but we must come to terms with things that are
bigger than we are, and a God who is bigger than all. Tears are seeds to sow
because of what grows from them. If the fruit of our tears is growth in our relationship
with God then so be it – we’ll be: returning
with songs of joy, carrying sheaves!
The other side
is what ought to get us going. We ought to wonder: what is the outcome of all this? And can I be patient and curious
enough to see it through? Sewing tears; reaping abundance.
Father, in my
present perceived problems, I pray for spiritual stamina to wait and see what
You will do. I pray to be an encouragement to others and to help them in their
weeping. May my weeping become reaping as I watch in wonder as You do the
things You do. Thank You for the seeds of tears and the harvest of abundance
– Amen.
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