7 June | EVERYONE
«Those 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.» Psalm 126:5, 6
The people of Israel sang this psalm as they returned from captivity. They had experienced years of sadness and tears. Pride and rebellion had led them to live seventy years in Babylonian captivity. The Jews had wept on the banks of the rivers of Babylon. From there, they imagined, from a distance, the holy city, but now at last they returned with their saddlebags full of experiences to reap the harvest of their learning.
Pain can be the master of noble souls. I met Joaquin, a courageous gospel communicator who learned to bring hope to people after passing through the valley of the shadow of death. His passion for seeking out people and leading them to Jesus was inspiring. He recounted the years he had spent in a mental hospital, immersed in phantasmagorical hallucinations. At that time, he could not sleep day or night without sedatives to numb him. He howled like a wolf on full moon nights. Until one day the light of the gospel came into his life, and he gave himself to Jesus.
Restored from his mental anguish, he began to seek out desperate people and tell them about the restorative power of the gospel. He said that he had spent long years walking and crying so now he could bring the precious seed and have the joy of seeing a smile on the faces of people who had lived without hope.
Speaking of the love of Jesus is not easy in a world consumed by secularism. The mission can be hard and bring tears of discouragement, but the harvest is rewarding for those who are not discouraged and continue to proclaim the gospel of Jesus.
Take Action
Make today an experience of joy, sharing the hope that came into your life. Sing “Those Who Sow in Tears” (if possible, with your family).