“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goes forth and weeps, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”
Psalm 126:5-6
Although most of our joy-in-reaping and “sheaves” will not be experienced until we reach our Harvest Home, we can still know (by faith) the Lord of the Harvest is using us here-and-now.
Instant gratification.
That’s what the industrialized world looks for these days, whether it be in fast-food, on-line purchases, text-messaging, calling up a friend on a cell phone, etc. And, if we’re thwarted or ignored in this quest, we either grow frustrated, fume or fret.
Although the context for today’s Manna was Babylonian captivity. . .and the one writing it was evidently one of those who’d languished in a foreign land for 70 years. . .the fact remains they were going home (i.e., back to Jerusalem and their homeland).
It could be the anonymous author of our Manna was also the writer of Ps. 137, who described the deep heartache they felt while suffering for their sins: “By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down; yea, we wept when we remembered Zion. We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof—for there they that carried us away captive required of us a song. And, they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, ‘Sing us one of the songs of Zion’” (vv.1-3).
Being held captive is bad enough; being forced to sing and play a merry song amounts to “cruel-and-unusual punishment.”
But, such is always the case for one who’s reaping the “wages of sin,” having “fallen into the snare of the devil and taken captive by him at his will” (II Tim. 2:26). No amount of effort can free them from their evil captor’s grasp. . .until “One Who is stronger” delivers them (Lk. 11:21-22).
And, dear Pilgrim, in our case that “Stronger One” is Jesus! Hallelujah!!
Yes, this One Who conquered sin, death and the grave is the One Who “restores unto us the joy of His salvation” (Ps. 51:12). And, He is the One Who “lifts us up out of the miry pit of sin, sets our feet upon a rock, establishes our goings and puts a new song in our mouths—even a song of praise” (Ps. 40:2-3a). Glory!!
That’s why we must be faithful in sowing the seeds of the Gospel, for there are many who are still ensnared by sin and the devil. At first, they may resist or even outwardly reject our overtures of love. It seems theirs is the hardened heart and no amount of pleading with them affects them.
But, keep sowing, weary one. And, one of these days, your “sowing in tears” will soften the soil, resulting in a harvest—which will then cause you to “come again with rejoicing, bringing your sheaves (fruit) with you.” If this happens during your pilgrimage here, rejoice; if it doesn’t happen until you reach that Heavenly City, rejoice even now because of the Law of the Harvest (Gal. 6:9) and the Faithfulness of the Father. How sweet it will be on that day when one stands on that Heavenly shore and says, “I wouldn’t be here if you’d not shared Jesus with me.”
By Tom Smith Morning Manna Dated August 5, 2009