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October 18
Tears, Then Joyful Harvest
Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy. — Ps 126:5 BSB
Times of weeping are also times for sowing. We don’t want the soil of our hearts to be too dry. Seeds that are soaked in tears of sincere concern will sprout all the sooner. The salt of prayerful tears adds a special preservation to the good seed, preventing it from being devoured. Truth spoken in earnest sorrow carries a deeper weight and life with it. Instead of stopping our sowing because of our weeping, we should increase our efforts, for the season is ripe for planting.
Our heavenly seed shouldn’t be sown with laughter. Deep sorrow and concern for the souls of others are much more fitting companions to godly teaching than any form of levity. We’ve heard of people going to battle with a light heart, only to be defeated. And it’s often the same with those who try to sow in a carefree manner.
So, my heart, continue sowing even as you weep, for you have the promise of a joyful harvest. You will reap. You will see some of the fruit of your labor yourself. And it will come in such abundance that it will fill you with joy—something a meager harvest could never do. When your eyes are filled with silver tears, think of the golden harvest ahead. Bear your present toil and disappointment cheerfully, for the harvest will be more than worth it.