August 8th - Psalm 126:5-6

Psalm 126:5-6 Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them. If you know anything about farming, you will know that it is hard work, but just imagine how incredibly tough it was in the psalmist’s day without the help of modern machinery. Planting was back-breaking work, but year by year the farmer would sow his seed with the confidence of knowing that, one day, there would be a harvest. We cannot be sure, but it seems as if this psalm was written in celebration of the return from exile. After years in Babylon, the people finally had the opportunity to return to their homeland. They’d had a tough time but now, at last, they were able to return to their beloved Jerusalem. Of course, we would all choose to avoid the tears and struggles. We would like to find a quick route to blessing, and if we find one, we shouldn’t turn it down! However, experience shows that normally the times of restoration and blessing follow after times of challenge and difficulty. Perhaps that was what was in James’ mind when he wrote: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance” (James 1:2-3). Question What experience do you have of sowing in tears and reaping with joy? Prayer Lord God, thank you that You are with me all the time and that as I pass through tough times, I can be completely confident that You will bring me to a place of blessing and restoration. Amen