They that sow in tears shall reap in joy -
Though the sowing of seed is a work of labor and sorrow - often a work so
burdening the farmer that he weeps - yet the return - the harvest - is
accompanied with rejoicing. The truth is expressed in a general form, as
illustrating the idea that enterprises which are begun under many difficulties,
and which require much labor, will be crowned with success, and that the joy is
more than an equivalent for all the weariness and sorrow. Thus it is in respect
to the toil of the farmer; the cares and anxieties of the student; the work of
conversion and repentance; the labors of the Christian pastor; the efforts of
the Sabbath-school teacher; the faithfulness of the Christian parent; the
endeavors of a church for a revival of religion; the zeal and sacrifice of the
Christian missionary. The particular, allusion here is to the exiles, in their
long and weary march to their native land. It was a work of toil and tears, but
there would be joy, like that of the harvest, when, their long journey over
they should again come to their native land.. (Barnes'
Notes on the Bible)
They that sow in tears shall
reap in joy. A proverbial expression, encouraging faith in prayer put up for
the return of the captivity, whether in a literal or spiritual sense. Praying or
seeking the Lord is sowing in righteousness, Hosea 10:12; which is often attended with
tears and weeping; the issue of them is not always seen soon: these, like seed,
lie buried under the clods, but take effect and will rise up in due time:
saints should wait patiently for a return of them, as the husbandman for the
fruits of the earth; in due time they will produce a large crop of blessings, a
plentiful harvest, which the praying saint will reap with joy; as those that
prayed and waited for the redemption in Jerusalem; and as those that pray for
the latter day glory, the conversion of the Jews, the fulness of the Gentiles,
and the destruction of antichrist; the souls under the altar have been sowing
in tears, but before long they will reap in joy, Revelation 6:9. It may
be applied to the state and condition of saints in common in this life; now is
their sowing time, and careful they should be that they sow not to the flesh,
but to the spirit: and a sorrowful time it is, on account of inward
corruptions, Satan's temptations, divine desertions, and the imperfection of
their services; but before long they will reap life everlasting, reap in joy,
and be in the fullness of it; now they weep, then they shall rejoice; now they
mourn, then they shall be comforted.
“Sorrow is a fruit; God does not make it grow on limbs too
weak to bear it.” (Victor Hugo)
When you are unsure of where you will spend
eternity:Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for forgiving me of my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of the throne of my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be. Amen
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