Plant in Tears, Harvest in Joy: Devotion for May 12, 2012

Plant in Tears, Harvest in Joy

Text: Psalm 126:5 –Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy (New Living Translation). 

Planting here does not mean only seed sowing rather it also involves investment, preaching the gospel and helping the needy. Sowing is a requirement for our existence and survival. God asked Isaac to sow in the land and he obeyed and God blessed his handiwork.   

Just think of how you sow your seed in the farm if a farmer, pay your tithe, and deny yourself pleasures to sow seed or make investment. Is it always pleasant? Ecclesiastics 11:1 admonishes us to sow that we will later reap of it. Have you ever been harassed when on evangelism and later you see that person repent? How do you feel? There is joy in heaven also when a sinner repents (Luke 15:7 and 10).

Treasury of David Commentary opines that “Present distress must not be viewed as if it would last for ever; it is not the end, by any means, but only a means to the end. Sorrow is our sowing, rejoicing shall be our reaping. If there were no sowing in tears there would be no reaping in joy. If we were never captives we could never lead our captivity captive. Our mouth had never been filled with holy laughter if it had not been first filled with the bitterness of grief.”

In what areas, are we to sow seeds according to the scripture? Read through this passage Deuteronomy 14:27 – 29. We are to sow in faith; sow in obedience, sow in righteousness, sow in repentance and sow in charity. After planting, do you back it up with prayers? See Deuteronomy 26:12 – 15. It is proper to remind us that as we sow, we should back it up with prayers that our sowing will not be in vain. Determine to sow to the needy and your Levite from today. You will surely reap with joy.

Food for Thought: There is joy in sowing because harvest will surely come

Prayer Points:

1) Express your gratitude to God for there is a reward when we sow

2) Ask God to help you sow seed always.

3) Pray that you will reap with joy and abundantly.

4) Bind every demon that will hinder you from reaping.