Daily Devotional – Sunday, November 7, 2021
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.
Psalms 126:5-6 (NKJV)
Before certified and treated seed became the norm in farming, farmers would plant the same seed they harvested. Households preserved some of the best seed for planting. Under no circumstance would the farmer turn seed into food.
Then came the planting season – after a long dry spell. The farmer took the seed, despite any food shortage at home. In the scorching sun, amid sweat and tears, she buried the seed under the soil and hoped that God would send rain.
To maximise the harvest, farmers had several pieces of land or large fields. Each field required attention, which came at a cost. Every day, workers went out to sow until all fields were ready for the rains.
Finally, the rain fell. After months of weeding and protecting the ripening plants from birds and other predators, the joyful farmers went out to harvest. The sorrowful tears shed during planting have now turned into tears of joy, as workers bring in heavy sheaves.
Life is a process, not an event.
The farmers’ experience is comparable to that of a Christian. Life, whether material or spiritual, is a process, not an event. There is a time for planting and a time for harvesting. Planting is synonymous with tears. Harvesting is a time of celebration.
Pain precedes gain. Sacrifice is a prerequisite for abundant harvest. Nothing worthwhile comes easy. Often we have to go to work and school early, stay long hours and leave late. Our farms and businesses demand our time and sacrifice.
On the spiritual font, there are many times we will spend on our knees and in Bible study. As we have grown in the knowledge of Christ, we have to forego some cherished sinful habits. We agonise over our sinful habits and plead for forgiveness from God and fellow human beings.
The Psalmist beautifully summarised this pattern of sacrificing and expecting abundant returns. “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.” (Psalms 126:5-6).
Do You Feel Like Giving Up?
Do you feel like giving up on a plan or project you have been working on for some time? Does Christianity demand many sacrifices from you? Are there times you feel as if your self-denial will not avail anything?
Take heart! There is hope. Your tears will soon turn to joy. Your harvest will immensely surpass your seed. You will look back at the past and be glad you forewent some necessities, luxuries and habits.
Because God is faithful to His promises, soon, you “shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing your sheaves with you.”
Prayer
Father, thank You that my efforts and sacrifices for material and spiritual purposes will not be wasted. Give me the patience to wait for my day of rejoicing.
Please share your testimony on sacrifices that bore fruit in the long run. God bless you.
Amen.. good enough motivation to refuse to despair and give up..”pain precedes gain” 🙏 Thanks
2 Corinthians:4.17
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
Thank you, Charles, for your comment and especially for that verse. God bless you.
Informative
Thank you, Patrick. God bless you.