By Tara Alexander

My heart leaped as I read Psalm 126. The psalmist paints a beautiful picture of how God turns around the captivity of His people. After they had been captives of Babylon, His act of deliverance is so unfathomable to Israel, that they felt like they were dreaming. They had been in a strange land so long they didn’t want to even play their harps when they were there. However, now, they are free. Rejoicing, laughter and gratefulness is on display. The psalmist makes a remarkable statement in verse 5. “Those who sow in tears, shall reap in joy.” What a promise!

Our tears are not the end. Our tears are not final. God whispers to the heart of His people and it still sends a chill up my spiritual spine as I think about how God would cause even our tears to work for our good. They are the droplets of soul rain that water the seeds we continue to sow even in the hardest of time. Weeping is no excuse for holding back our seed. We must keep serving, keep loving, keep giving, keep doing good works. And as we keep sowing seeds of good, we will reap the good! As we keep doing what is necessary for harvest, our weary hearts are lifted as we acknowledge that power belongs to the one who causes the earth to spring forth with buds of His faithfulness. God is faithful to His people. We will reap if we faint not. We will reap if we keep going. We will reap if we don’t throw in the towel. We will reap in JOY!! There will be joy on the other side of what we go through. Time will allow the seeds you sow to germinate; and one day we will look up and see the fields ripe with potential. Please take a moment to allow this beautiful Psalm to minister to your heart. If you sow in tears, you will reap in joy!

Psalm 126

When the Lord brought back [a]the captivity of Zion,
We were like those who dream.
2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
And our tongue with singing.
Then they said among the [b]nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us,
And we are glad.

4 Bring back our captivity, O Lord,
As the streams in the South.

5 Those who sow in tears
Shall reap in joy.
6 He who continually goes [c]forth weeping,
Bearing [d]seed for sowing,
Shall doubtless come again [e]with rejoicing,
Bringing his sheaves with him.