Oct. 18
TEARS, THEN JOYFUL HARVEST
"They that sow in tears shall reap in joy" Ps. 126:5
Weeping times are suitable for sowing: we do not want the ground to
be too dry. Seed steeped in the tears of earnest anxiety will come up
all the sooner. The salt of prayerful tears will give the good seed a
flavor which will preserve it from the worm: truth spoken in awful
earnestness has a double life about it. Instead of stopping our sowing
because of our weeping, let us redouble our efforts because the season
is so propitious.
Our heavenly seed could not fitly be sown laughing. Deep sorrow and
concern for the souls of others are a far more fit accompaniment of
godly teaching than anything like levity. We have heard of men who
went to war with a light heart, but they were beaten; and it is mostly
so with those who sow in the same style.
Come, then, my heart, sow on in thy weeping, for thou hast the
promise of a joyful harvest. Thou shalt reap. Thou, thyself, shalt see
some result of thy labor. This shall come to thee in so large a
measure as to give thee joy, which a poor, withered, and scanty
harvest would not do. When thine eyes are dim with silver tears, think
of the golden corn. Bear cheerfully the present toil and
disappointment; for the harvest day will fully recompense thee.