“Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.” (Psalm 126:5-6 NLT).

ON SOWING AND STARTING OVER AGAIN

Psalm 126 described the mixture of tears and joy that the Jewish exiles experienced upon their return to Jerusalem. They were happy to return, but they had lost everything. Yet, they had seed and they once again had fields and they had the physical strength and knowledge to plant. So they planted in tears, but would soon sing at the harvest.

Those who are obedient to sow and plant, even while shedding tears of hardship, will one day rejoice in the day of harvest. But those who sow nothing, reap nothing. They remain in their grief.

As the apostle Paul wrote, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (Gal. 6:9). Don’t dig up in doubt what you planted by faith. Keep sowing!

PRAYER: Dear Father, we are thankful that You have given us this promise of sowing and reaping. Strengthen us to go out to sow even when we are weak and weeping. For we have faith that Your Word will not return void. In Jesus’ name, amen.