Sowing Tears

“When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
    we were like those who dream.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
    and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then they said among the nations,
    ‘The Lord has done great things for them.’
The Lord has done great things for us;
    we are glad.

Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
    like streams..!
Those who sow in tears
    shall reap with shouts of joy!
He who goes out weeping,
    bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
    bringing his sheaves with him.” Psalm 126

“After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” 1 Peter 5:10

The psalmist begins and ends with the resolution, the joyful restoration of the place he loved and the settling home with bounty. Tucked into the short mention of seeds of sorrow sown to bring about such gladness were years of separation, heartache, suffering, longing. While fixed on and emphasizing the great things the Lord had done, there was necessary an intermittent season in which He also invisibly worked. Weeping made clearer His handiwork and sweeter the joy.

We fancy the fortune. We relish the laughter. We readily rejoice in the refreshment of streams, sheaves of favor, and comforts of home. But often we resist the journey required to get to these places. We avoid the difficult choices, skirt the hardship, chafe at waiting. We want reaping without sowing, comfort without pain, knowledge without learning, agility without bending, fruitfulness without death. We look for product but are unwilling, at least reluctant, to experience process.

Jesus invites us to the tears of the cross. He exemplifies that death is a precursor to true life. Repeatedly the Scriptures teach that suffering and trials are the seeds of spiritual growth and train us toward Christ-likeness. His promises remind us that we can trust His hidden work even in season of sorrow to produce a glorious end. (John 10:10; 12:24; Philippians 3:7-11; James 1:2-4)

What great things is the Lord doing at present? How has He supplied through barren, challenging seasons to teach deep lessons and conform us to Himself? How is our praise richer for what we’ve learned about His mercies and strength and light in the darkness? For what attribute, intercession, or provision will we rejoice today? (Lamentations 3:22-23; 2 Corinthians 12:7-20; Philippians 4:11-13)

If we’re in a season of grief, will we trust that He’s sowing the pain for good, the brokenness and loss for ultimate bounty? What weaknesses, fears, or doubts might He be transforming? What new aspects of His character are more real and personal because of weeping? What promises will we take as our own? (Romans 8:28-30)

“When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
for I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

“When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
my grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
the flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.” ~George Keith (1787)

Lord, help me endure tears with great and hopeful joy, trusting Your powerful work and promises.