Psalm 126:5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
Oh Friends, thankfully, I’ve learned my lesson, for when I was directed to the Psalms tonight, I didn’t query it one bit. (smile) There was never any doubt that I could exhaust the Word. Hn! Instead I embraced it with joy, cause I LOVE to write about the Psalms; they’re so beautiful, so poetic, and use the language in such exquisite fashion. Moreover, they’re so all embracing, containing a wealth of knowledge on all topics and problems, such that every human emotion is covered. If, for some reason, you were only allowed one Book of the Bible, then the Psalms would be the best choice, cause they would sustain you through any situation, adverse or otherwise. But enough of singing the praises of the Psalms, we all know the riches they offer. It’s time to look at a particular one; # 126. It basically deals with the Lord turning around Israel’s problems from foreign powers on one occasion: ‘When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion (brought back those of the captivity), we were like them that dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them. The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.’ (vs.1-3) But Friends, isn’t that what our God’s about? Doing great things for us in the sight of the heathen to glorify His Holy Name. And we are always glad when He takes us out of dangerous and/or difficult situations. But somehow that gladness seems to lead us to complacency, which in turn causes us to deviate from His dictates and get into more trouble again. This seems to be the Israelites’ plight as they plead; ‘Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the south. (vs.4) They are imploring the Lord to bring back those that were taken captive. Then comes Today’s Bit. ‘They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.’ Oh my people, that’s a basic tenet of our faith from day one. Those who suffer in the Lord’s name will be well rewarded. Isaiah reminded Israel of that fact after they had done wickedly and were punished through captivity and exile. ‘And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.’ (Isa.35:10) He considered that idea so important that in Chapter 51:11, where the faithful are called to exhibit courage, he repeats it. And in Chapter 61, titled, ‘Good tidings of salvation to Zion,’ Isaiah promises on the Lord’s behalf: ‘For your shame ye shall have double (honour); and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in the land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them.’ (Isa.61:7) Then he ends that chapter with another powerful promise: ‘For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.’ (Isa.61:11) Oh Friends, those are promises of our true and faithful God, and if we’re sincere believers we won’t doubt any of them. Unfortunately though, it’s not always easy to stand in faith, for whatever reason, when we’re sowing in tears. At those times joy is usually the furthest thing from our minds. And that’s when the enemy comes on strong too, for he knows that our troubled minds are then fertile soil for his seeds of doubt. But my people, we need to dismiss the enemy’s negativity as quickly as possible by encouraging ourselves in the Lord, and proclaiming instead positive words and thoughts like; ‘He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.’ (Ps.126:6) That brings to mind the old hymn; ‘We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.’ Gospel truth my Friends! Then there’s Bruh Paul’s reminder: ‘And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.’ (Gal.6:9) And to top it all off my people, let’s remember the words of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. ‘And ye shall be hated by all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.’ (Mat.10:22) And don’t forget this Beatitude either. ‘Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’ (Mat.5:10) So let’s try not to worry about the crop of tears and sorrows we’re currently sowing, but rather, let’s look to the future, let’s envision the Lord’s faithful promises. Stop seeing all the times we’ve watered the hard ground with our tears of sorrow, and sowed seed that seemed dead, let’s picture instead a bountiful harvest of joy being reaped through our steadfast faith. For such is the majesty and magnanimity of our God to those who are faithful. Much LOVE!…sowing seed is hard work…but if we endure…the Lord will prosper us in exceeding abundance…
Oh Friends, thankfully, I’ve learned my lesson, for when I was directed to the Psalms tonight, I didn’t query it one bit. (smile) There was never any doubt that I could exhaust the Word. Hn! Instead I embraced it with joy, cause I LOVE to write about the Psalms; they’re so beautiful, so poetic, and use the language in such exquisite fashion. Moreover, they’re so all embracing, containing a wealth of knowledge on all topics and problems, such that every human emotion is covered. If, for some reason, you were only allowed one Book of the Bible, then the Psalms would be the best choice, cause they would sustain you through any situation, adverse or otherwise. But enough of singing the praises of the Psalms, we all know the riches they offer. It’s time to look at a particular one; # 126. It basically deals with the Lord turning around Israel’s problems from foreign powers on one occasion: ‘When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion (brought back those of the captivity), we were like them that dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them. The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.’ (vs.1-3) But Friends, isn’t that what our God’s about? Doing great things for us in the sight of the heathen to glorify His Holy Name. And we are always glad when He takes us out of dangerous and/or difficult situations. But somehow that gladness seems to lead us to complacency, which in turn causes us to deviate from His dictates and get into more trouble again. This seems to be the Israelites’ plight as they plead; ‘Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the south. (vs.4) They are imploring the Lord to bring back those that were taken captive. Then comes Today’s Bit. ‘They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.’ Oh my people, that’s a basic tenet of our faith from day one. Those who suffer in the Lord’s name will be well rewarded. Isaiah reminded Israel of that fact after they had done wickedly and were punished through captivity and exile. ‘And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.’ (Isa.35:10) He considered that idea so important that in Chapter 51:11, where the faithful are called to exhibit courage, he repeats it. And in Chapter 61, titled, ‘Good tidings of salvation to Zion,’ Isaiah promises on the Lord’s behalf: ‘For your shame ye shall have double (honour); and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in the land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them.’ (Isa.61:7) Then he ends that chapter with another powerful promise: ‘For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.’ (Isa.61:11) Oh Friends, those are promises of our true and faithful God, and if we’re sincere believers we won’t doubt any of them. Unfortunately though, it’s not always easy to stand in faith, for whatever reason, when we’re sowing in tears. At those times joy is usually the furthest thing from our minds. And that’s when the enemy comes on strong too, for he knows that our troubled minds are then fertile soil for his seeds of doubt. But my people, we need to dismiss the enemy’s negativity as quickly as possible by encouraging ourselves in the Lord, and proclaiming instead positive words and thoughts like; ‘He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.’ (Ps.126:6) That brings to mind the old hymn; ‘We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.’ Gospel truth my Friends! Then there’s Bruh Paul’s reminder: ‘And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.’ (Gal.6:9) And to top it all off my people, let’s remember the words of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. ‘And ye shall be hated by all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.’ (Mat.10:22) And don’t forget this Beatitude either. ‘Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’ (Mat.5:10) So let’s try not to worry about the crop of tears and sorrows we’re currently sowing, but rather, let’s look to the future, let’s envision the Lord’s faithful promises. Stop seeing all the times we’ve watered the hard ground with our tears of sorrow, and sowed seed that seemed dead, let’s picture instead a bountiful harvest of joy being reaped through our steadfast faith. For such is the majesty and magnanimity of our God to those who are faithful. Much LOVE!…sowing seed is hard work…but if we endure…the Lord will prosper us in exceeding abundance…
SCRIP-BITS 