Psalm 126:5-6
We all want what we want...and we want it NOW! Patience is not a trait many of us possess. And have you ever noticed: God's timing is not geared to match our own?
We want joy now. We want success now. We want answered prayer now. And what does the Bible say? "Those that wait upon the Lord will renew their strength..." (from Isaiah 40). Many other passages confirm the necessity of waiting, being patient, and understanding that God's timing does not respond to our desires or wants. The Bible also makes abudantly clear that God's ways and timing always are best!
So what is God's way and timing for us to have joy and success in our lives of service to Him? These verses from Psalm 126 answer that question.
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. (HCSB)
The psalmist was convinced that joy and success was possible - that it would come - for each devoted believer. But there was a price to pay, a road to travel, a time of waiting before one could experience the fullness of God's joy and the pleasure and excitement of being used in His Kingdom work.
First, there must be... tears then comes shouts of joy.
First, there must be... weeping then comes shouts of joy.
First, there must be... sowing then comes reaping.
As those who claim to be believers in Jesus, we have only ONE commission: "Go and make disciples..." (Matthew 28)
We make disciples by sowing the Gospel...throwing the seed out in abundance; near and far; everywhere, with everyone, everyday! The more you sow, the more you reap (a clear Biblical teaching). And in the sowing and reaping, believers come to experience real, life-changing joy. Watching God use you to bring another into the Kingdom, knowing you were instrumental in changing their eternity from one of pain and suffering to one of blessings unimaginable; therein is the source of this joy. God using me? YES! And using you to impact eternity...one life at a time! Can anything be more amazing and awe-inspiring than that?
Oh, but wait a minute. Look again at what the psalmist wrote. Just as reaping is preceeded by sowing, so the joy is the result of a previous experience. Joy - indeed, shouts of joy - comes after weeping. There must be tears, before there can be joy.
When is the last time you wept over someone you thought to be lost? When is the last time tears came to your eyes because you were contemplating the eternal fate of those who reject Jesus? Have you cried over anyone lately? If not, why not?
We cry at movies. We cry when we don't get our way. We even cry at Hallmark commercials. Why don't we cry for a lost friend or family member? Is it because we don't truly care?
If we care, then we will share! We will weep before God for our lost friends, family members and others in our lives. We will shed tears until God brings them into His Kingdom.
There'll be time enough for shouting, once the work is done! But for now, it's time to work. Pick up your bag of seed and walk out your front door. Invite a co-worker or friend to lunch. Walk over to your neighbors house. Write a note or send an email to someone far away.
Start spreading some seeds. Nurture them with your tears. And prepare for times of joyful shouting!
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