SCRIP-BITS

Psalm 126:5.     They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
 
Oh Friends, like the old Jamaican music icon Prince Buster says in his song: ‘I feel so mash up today.’ Unfortunately though, it’s not from excess sexual activities, as he means (smile) but from the ravages of a cold and fever that’s been attacking my ole body for the last two days. And sadly it’s still not done yet. Ah mih breddren, I haven’t had a cold like this, what the ancients would call a real fresh cold, with my nose constantly blocked up but yet running, since I don’t know when. And I haven’t had a fever for even longer than that. Subsequently I’ve forgotten how lousy and miserable they make you feel. The fever was a real eye opener yes! I ached and pained in places I didn’t even know I could ache and pain in. Hn! Sometimes I didn’t even know whether I was coming or going. I’ve seen how it affects the duchess, but as they say, you never know what something is really like until you experience it yourself. Internally, I felt as cold as ice, while externally my body felt like it was on fire. Chuh! And obviously when I enquired of the Lord as to the purpose for this unexpected suffering, I got no answer. But I was lucid enough between my moans and groans to give Him thanks and affirm that though I didn’t understand or like what was happening, I was confident that it would pass – the problem though was how soon – and He would eventually work everything out for my good as He has promised in His Word. But Friends, I must admit that the Lord was merciful in one respect. He didn’t allow the cough to come on too. Otherwise that would have been the end of me, for the few times I chucked, it felt as though my head would split open. And the coughing would only have brought on my asthma. So at least I have that to be thankful for. (smile) Anyway, enough of my problems, some people have plenty worse ones. Let’s turn to our Bit: ‘They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.’ Yes my brethren, that’s the Lord’s promise to those who believe in Him and faithfully walk His path regardless of whatever comes against them. Now let’s continue to look at some scripture that reflects that promise. We’ll begin way back in the days of Ezra, when some of the Jews returned to Jerusalem from exile in Babylon and began rebuilding the Lord’s sanctuary. ‘And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, they set the priests (the priests stood) in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the Lord, after the ordinance of David king of Israel. And they sang together by course in (responsibly) praising and giving thanks unto the Lord; because he is good, for his mercy endureth forever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice, and many shouted aloud for joy; So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off. (Ezra 3:10-13) Oh my brethren, yuh see how great was the joy of the people, especially the old folks who had known the old temple and never believed they would live to see the foundations of a new one laid. You couldn’t even discern the shouts of joy from that of the weeping. They had sown in tears of faith in their long exile and captivity in Babylon, and eventually the Lord had worked on the hearts of the pagan kings to give them permission and provision to return to their homeland, so they were able to shed tears of joy at the rebuilding of the Lord’s house. Our next scripture comes from Galatians, where Bruh Paul warns the believers: ‘Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not (do not lose heart). As we therefore have opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.’ (Gal.6:7-10) Oh Friends, in truth, what we sow, we shall surely reap. But hear the greatest promise of all nuh. It comes from Revelations, where John sees the new heaven and the new earth. ‘And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle (presence) of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and he shall be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away.’ (Rev.21:3-4) Oh my people, if we stay faithful and strong, sowing good seed even in our time of misery and disaster, all those tears of sorrow, will be replaced by ones of Joy, when Jesus returns to claim His kingdom. So please, let’s hold on tightly to that most magnificent promise, and stay rooted and purposed in Jesus, whatever comes our way. Remember, the smart money is on Jesus. Much LOVE!…whatever the problem…we can overcome it…through steadfast faith in Jesus…