JUNE 26
Psalm 126:6, “He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.”
Whether we realize it or not, we are always sowing. Every choice, attitude, and action plants seeds—either according to the flesh or by the Spirit (Galatians 6:7-8). When we sow to the flesh, we may experience fleeting pleasures and temporary bliss, but the harvest is ultimately bitter, bringing sorrow and destruction as a consequence for sin. In contrast, sowing by the Spirit may not always feel rewarding in the moment. Often, it is done through pain, perseverance, and even tears. The path of the believer is not without hardship. The world, the flesh, and the devil labor relentlessly to distract and discourage us from bearing any lasting fruit. Yet those who belong to God persist—they go “out weeping, bearing seed for sowing” (Psalm 126:6).
This imagery in Psalm 126 draws from Israel’s own story. The psalm reflects the joy of the Israelites returning from Babylonian exile—after seventy long years of sorrow, loss, and captivity. Their return to Zion felt like a dream come true: “Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy” (Psalm 126:2). But while the restoration brought rejoicing, rebuilding their lives and land would still take great effort, often through tears. Their sowing—both literal and spiritual—came with pain and uncertainty. And yet, the psalm proclaims the promise: “Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy” (Psalm 126:5).
Their tears were not wasted—and neither are ours. God promises a rich and joyful harvest for those who sow faithfully in Him. The tears we shed in obedience, faith, and endurance are temporary—what Paul calls “light and momentary afflictions”—especially when compared to the eternal weight of glory being prepared for us (2 Corinthians 4:17–18). The promise of God is sure: those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.
Are you in a season of sowing in tears—praying, serving, enduring, or obeying God when the results seem small and the burden feels heavy? Take heart. Just as Israel experienced restoration after exile, and just as God remained faithful to fulfill His promises, He sees your tears and honors your faithfulness. Your labor is not in vain. Keep sowing, even when it’s hard. Trust that God is working, and in His perfect time, you will reap with joy.
“Tears are often the seeds of joy.” — Charles Spurgeon
Application Questions: What area of your life feels like “sowing in tears” right now—and how can you trust God with the harvest, even if you can’t see it yet? How does remembering God’s past faithfulness (like Israel’s return from exile) encourage you to keep planting seeds of faith, obedience, or prayer in your current season?
LookingtoJesus 