Verse of the Day 4/13

 

Psalm 126:5-6  Those who sow with tears
    will reap with songs of joy.
⁶ Those who go out weeping,
    carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
    carrying sheaves with them.  New International Version (NIV)

 

After a long winter, spring has finally arrived.  It reached 80 degrees here in NC yesterday.  As things finally warm up it is time for planting, when we do so it is with a future harvest in mind.  Whether it be in flowers, fruit or vegetables we will be looking for the return.

 

In John Piper's devotional for today, he related today's verses to planting, sewing seeds in the normal everyday things in life, even when our hearts are heavy and we may not want to do the sowing..  He writes, "When there are simple, straightforward jobs to be done, and you are full of sadness, and tears are flowing easily, go ahead and do the jobs with tears. Be realistic. Say to your tears: "Tears, I feel you. You make me want to quit life. But there is a field to be sown (dishes to be washed, car to be fixed, sermon to be written)."

Then say, on the basis of God's word, "Tears, I know that you will not stay forever. The very fact that I just do my work (tears and all) will in the end bring a harvest of blessing. So go ahead and flow if you must. But I believe (I do not yet see it or feel it fully) — I believe that the simple work of my sowing will bring sheaves of harvest. And your tears will be turned to joy."

When dealing with tragedy, loss, grief or chronic illness, it may be hard to press on.  Life does go on and there are certain things that need to be done.  When they are done in faith they may not produce immediate results, immediate fruit.  But when it comes in, it can be twofold.  We can rejoice in the fruit of our efforts and oftentimes rejoice in what God has produced out of the pain - healing, hope, and restoration.

 

If your heart is heavy today, may He provide the strength to sow, even if it is in tears, and may He also produce the future songs of rejoicing when the future double blessing comes in.

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

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Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

Psalm 126:3-6

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

³ The Lord had done great things for us;
we were joyful.

⁴ Restore our fortunes,^[a] Lord,
like watercourses in the Negev.
⁵ Those who sow in tears
will reap with shouts of joy.
⁶ Though one goes along weeping,
carrying the bag of seed,
he will surely come back with shouts of joy,
carrying his sheaves.