The Seed of Joy in Your Sorrow
Joy is a fruitful seed when sown into the fertile field of sorrow.
Psalm 126 articulates the truth of this. The Psalm is comprised of two stanzas. The first one (vv. 1-3) is a dream come true. "The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad (Ps. 51:3).
The second stanza (vv. 4-6) takes an unexpected turn. It is a plea for restoration. Gladness is gone. Now is a time of tears (v. 5) and weeping (v. 6).
As fortune is lost. As the dream becomes a nightmare. As gladness is drowned with tears, comes one of the most familiar verses in the Bible. "Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! (Psalm 126:5)."
Something powerful happens when we sow joy into sorrow.
18-year-old Paige Hunter has battled depression for much of her life. She made several unsuccessful suicide attempts. Fortunately, Paige failed. Thankfully she found help, and her mental state began to improve.
During her recovery, Paige developed sympathy for those struggling with depression and contemplating suicide. Paige wanted to make a difference.
In the center of her city, Sunderland, England, stands the Wearmouth Bridge. The bridge is notorious for suicide jumpers, so Paige began writing encouraging notes and taping them to the railings.
- "You are loved."
- "The world is much better with you in it."
- "Don't you dare give up on this life, not tonight, not tomorrow, not ever."
As of the date of the article referenced, Paige has posted more than 240 notes. Most importantly, 8 people contacted Paige. Their lives were saved because they were encouraged by her notes.
Something powerful happens when we sow encouragement into discouragement.
Psalm 126 - the Bible's Post-It Note of Promise
Psalm 126 expresses the sorrow of a dream has died. Gone are the days of gladness. In the past there was singing. Now there is weeping. But then comes a statement of promise, "Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy(v. 5)!"
God's promises are Post-It notes on the jumper's bridge. They are seeds of joy in the midst of your sorrow.
Psalm 126 is someone who knows what God can do, leaving a note for someone who has no idea what God is doing. And we've all been there. Both places.
Perhaps today is joyful. Remember that there is someone in your life who is sorrowful. Sow your seed of joy into them.
Perhaps today is sorrowful. The seed of God's joy is coming to you. Receive it.
This week we will reflect on Psalm 126. We will consider the power of the fruitful seed of joy sown into sorrow. We will look at how joy becomes a needed seed, as well as the reason that sorrow produces a fertile field. It's all here is Psalm 126. So please, accept my invitation for devotion, Bible study, and challenge. Come along!
Bible Study
Read Psalm 126 at least 3 times.
- According to the passage, what can the Lord do?
- List the promises in the passage.
- What does the Psalm encourage you to do?
Challenge
Use the Psalm as a blueprint to write a prayer about your own situation. In your prayer include recollections of what God has done and expressions to God of what you believe He can do according to His Word.
Watch the message on my YouTube Channel.
Posts from last week's Bible study and challenges (Psalm 51).
- The Kryptonite of Joy
- Taking Personal Responsibility for Sin
- Confession That's Too Casual
- Willingness, The Process of Forgiveness
- Deaf Doesn't Know It
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