December 9, 2020

“Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy. Though one goes along weeping, carrying the bag of seed, he will surely come back with shouts of joy, carrying his sheaves.” – Psalm 126:5-6

Sowing seed is hard work. When you want to grow something in your garden, all the preparation, planting, and care is difficult and time consuming. If it is so hard, why not just give up? Because we look forward to a harvest. Whatever you are planting, it is something that will bring you joy and satisfaction when it is full grown. If you had no idea why you were doing all that hard work, then why carry on? Without purpose, giving up would be the reasonable thing to do.

Sorrow is the hard work of spiritual growth. We go through difficult times. We must face things that are overwhelming. We must come to the end of ourselves before we can see the endless wisdom, strength, and love of our God. If we walk through the most painful times in life with the belief that they are pointless, then the reasonable thing to do is just throw up your hands and stop striving to move ahead. But we know, because of the promises of our faithful God, that what he is growing in us will eventually bring the joy and satisfaction that we so deeply desire.

Mighty and loving God, remind us daily, as we walk through the most difficult times, that sowing these seeds of sorrow will produce the priceless harvest of deeper relationship with You.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Shane Cannon