Psa 126:5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

Psalm 126 is a psalm of rejoicing. The Psalmist looks back to the period when the captives returned to Jerusalem following their long exile in Babylon. They had suffered so much during the captivity. Seventy years is a long time for anyone who is a captive in a foreign land. Few would live to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Thanks be to God; now they found themselves back in their homeland. The Psalmist says it is like a dream come true. It seemed too good to be true when King Cyprus announced that the Jews could return to their homeland (Ezra 1:1-3). The Jews probably thought they were dreaming: “When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream” (v.1). What was their reaction? “Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing” (v.2a). They remembered it was only possible because of God: “The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad” (v.3). The faithful ones who persevered to see the day of deliverance would consider their wait was worth it all: “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy” (v.5). They that sow in tears shall reap in joy – It is an agriculture analogy. The sowing of seed is a very labourious and backbreaking work that the farmers sometimes weep. Yet, when the harvest comes, it is accompanied by rejoicing. Our Lord says: “A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world” (John 16:21). We all go through hard times. Perhaps, you are going through a very rough patch in your life at this moment. How does it feel? I guess it feels like it will never end. You wake up each morning to tears, and you go to bed each evening with tears. The situation seems hopeless. You begin to wonder: “Is this all that God has for me? Will my trouble be over? Will I be happy again?” Remember that the children of Israel cried for more than 200 years in Egypt and another 70 years in Babylon. Their deliverance came at God’s timing. Moses led the congregation in songs the moment they came out of Egypt. His sister, Miriam, led the women in songs and dancing (Exodus 15:1-21). Psalm 126 is a psalm that we need during times of crisis: “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him” (v.6). God promises us that we shall doubtless come again with rejoicing. It is a much-needed comfort for us that when we put our trust in God, we shall see light at the end of the tunnel. When we are going through a time of trouble and sorrow, turn to Psalm 126. Psalm 126 is a medicine for the soul. It carries a powerful message of comfort and hope. It tells us that times of trouble and sorrow do not last forever. It tells us that God knows our troubles and He will deliver us. It tells us that God will turn our sorrow to joy and our tears to laughter. Psalm 126 reminds me of the comfort that Christ gives to us: “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:1-3). Our troubles don’t last forever. Let us trust in God and let us find comfort in His Word.