sleeplessinpool
December 21st 2004, 09:54 AM
Ps 126:5-6
hose who sow in tears
Shall reap in joy.
He who continually goes forth weeping,
Bearing seed for sowing,
Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing,
Bringing his sheaves with him.
NKJV
Our chosen promise was originally spoken to Gods ancient peoples but remains as true for us in the church today as it did then. In the New Testament we find the very same principle in application, “We shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9) When we stop to example the words we see it is a promise that should excite every believer to place in the most noble work of them all, that of sowing seeds of divine truth in the hears of even the most degenerate of humanity.
With no excuse every single one of us is called to broadcast seeds of the Word of Life”; but regretfully this is often a neglected work. But why, why is this command to sow the good seed so often ignored? All manner of excuses can have been suggested, sometimes it is from a genuine feeling of unworthiness, but it does not stop there, a great many sat that they are to timid; others believe religion like politics should not be talked about and still others adopt a “couldn’t care less” attitude to the great work that is so close to the heart of the Saviour.
Two things should be known to us, these excuses and lack of concern both grieve the Holy Spirit and result in the spiritual barrenness oft found in the church! It is very difficult to pin down the exact reason why Christians evade this calling, possibly it is the hard nature of the road ahead that cause many to give up before even starting. Our focused promise to a metaphor that draws from agricultural life, we have a picture of a farmer who is tired, going out to scatter the seed but weeping in disappointment, yet he does not give in and still carries on. This is very symbolic of the true believer who struggles despite set-back and heartache. Gods blessing is a wonderful thing to enjoy but it does not prevent the recipient from occasional tears, it is inevitable that there will be occasional seasons of sorrow; like it or not sighing is as a part of the Christian experience as is sunshine. Due to humanities innate stubbornness it is often needed for our hearts to be broken before we can see the hearts of sinners break.
The founder of the Salvation Army movement William Booth was once approached by one of his followers, who reported how the work was difficult and he didn’t seem to be getting anywhere. He asked Booth what his best advice was, Booth replied “try tears”.
In the West there is a deep stigma about shedding tears, but we should never be ashamed to weep. Melted hearts are a necessary requirement in the soul saving business. Many a saint of God has discovered how weeping is truly a sublime form of worship, and sometimes a teardrop is a million times more eloquent than words. We are far closer to Jesus when we weep than when we work in a previous promise we saw how Jesus himself was “acquainted with grief” and in the bible is recorded three events of when he wept. When we study those passages we realise it was not just emotional tears Christ wept, but often it was because of his deep concern for humanity, a desire to do the will of the Father and the realisation that apart from him we can do nothing.
But here we have a wonderful heartening promise, and there is a great cause for rejoicing, the continued perseverance of the sower will bring about its reward. We can be sure God keeps exact accounts, he has a clear ledger of our every effort to promote his Kingdom and we will receive a recompense that is proportionate to our zeal and sincerity. The matter is settled and the faithful will be paid in full, the sob will eventually give way to the song.
The promise is, “shall doubtless come again with rejoicing” and the analogy of nature assure us of this. The great 19th Century Preacher Spurgeon once remarked. “I cannot comprehend anyone trying to win souls and being satisfied without results”. Generally speaking, must workers will see the results of their labours.
Christian experience over the past two thousand years shows us how sometimes there are times when it appears that all our efforts seem in vain and ineffectual. Loved ones and close friends can seem to stubbornly resist the gospel message and remain outside of the fold and all the work can seen to no avail. However despite visible appearances God has promised to give “increase” and he can be trusted to cause the seed that has been planted to burst forth into life and bring it to fruition, but, in His own good time. One thing is guaranteed to all sowers, the harvest time will come,
Hope you enjoy folks
Seasonal Greetings to all.
more to be found at www.preciouspromises.co.uk
hose who sow in tears
Shall reap in joy.
He who continually goes forth weeping,
Bearing seed for sowing,
Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing,
Bringing his sheaves with him.
NKJV
Our chosen promise was originally spoken to Gods ancient peoples but remains as true for us in the church today as it did then. In the New Testament we find the very same principle in application, “We shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9) When we stop to example the words we see it is a promise that should excite every believer to place in the most noble work of them all, that of sowing seeds of divine truth in the hears of even the most degenerate of humanity.
With no excuse every single one of us is called to broadcast seeds of the Word of Life”; but regretfully this is often a neglected work. But why, why is this command to sow the good seed so often ignored? All manner of excuses can have been suggested, sometimes it is from a genuine feeling of unworthiness, but it does not stop there, a great many sat that they are to timid; others believe religion like politics should not be talked about and still others adopt a “couldn’t care less” attitude to the great work that is so close to the heart of the Saviour.
Two things should be known to us, these excuses and lack of concern both grieve the Holy Spirit and result in the spiritual barrenness oft found in the church! It is very difficult to pin down the exact reason why Christians evade this calling, possibly it is the hard nature of the road ahead that cause many to give up before even starting. Our focused promise to a metaphor that draws from agricultural life, we have a picture of a farmer who is tired, going out to scatter the seed but weeping in disappointment, yet he does not give in and still carries on. This is very symbolic of the true believer who struggles despite set-back and heartache. Gods blessing is a wonderful thing to enjoy but it does not prevent the recipient from occasional tears, it is inevitable that there will be occasional seasons of sorrow; like it or not sighing is as a part of the Christian experience as is sunshine. Due to humanities innate stubbornness it is often needed for our hearts to be broken before we can see the hearts of sinners break.
The founder of the Salvation Army movement William Booth was once approached by one of his followers, who reported how the work was difficult and he didn’t seem to be getting anywhere. He asked Booth what his best advice was, Booth replied “try tears”.
In the West there is a deep stigma about shedding tears, but we should never be ashamed to weep. Melted hearts are a necessary requirement in the soul saving business. Many a saint of God has discovered how weeping is truly a sublime form of worship, and sometimes a teardrop is a million times more eloquent than words. We are far closer to Jesus when we weep than when we work in a previous promise we saw how Jesus himself was “acquainted with grief” and in the bible is recorded three events of when he wept. When we study those passages we realise it was not just emotional tears Christ wept, but often it was because of his deep concern for humanity, a desire to do the will of the Father and the realisation that apart from him we can do nothing.
But here we have a wonderful heartening promise, and there is a great cause for rejoicing, the continued perseverance of the sower will bring about its reward. We can be sure God keeps exact accounts, he has a clear ledger of our every effort to promote his Kingdom and we will receive a recompense that is proportionate to our zeal and sincerity. The matter is settled and the faithful will be paid in full, the sob will eventually give way to the song.
The promise is, “shall doubtless come again with rejoicing” and the analogy of nature assure us of this. The great 19th Century Preacher Spurgeon once remarked. “I cannot comprehend anyone trying to win souls and being satisfied without results”. Generally speaking, must workers will see the results of their labours.
Christian experience over the past two thousand years shows us how sometimes there are times when it appears that all our efforts seem in vain and ineffectual. Loved ones and close friends can seem to stubbornly resist the gospel message and remain outside of the fold and all the work can seen to no avail. However despite visible appearances God has promised to give “increase” and he can be trusted to cause the seed that has been planted to burst forth into life and bring it to fruition, but, in His own good time. One thing is guaranteed to all sowers, the harvest time will come,
Hope you enjoy folks
Seasonal Greetings to all.
more to be found at www.preciouspromises.co.uk