“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”
The Ground
This psalm does not describe sowing as something that happens only after the tears have finally stopped. It describes sowing done in tears, the weeping and the sowing happening together, simultaneously, not sequentially. You are not required to wait until you feel entirely composed before you begin planting whatever comes next.
Notice the specific phrase bearing precious seed. The seed being carried out to sow, even through tears, is named precious, valuable, worth the effort of planting despite the genuine grief accompanying the act. This is not sowing done carelessly or resentfully. It is precious seed, carried faithfully, even while weeping.
The promise attached is specific and complete: shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. Not a vague hope that things might eventually improve, but a doubtless promise, actual harvest, actual sheaves, following actual tearful sowing. The weeping does not disqualify the harvest. It precedes it.
Whatever precious seed you are carrying out to sow today, even through real tears, this psalm insists the tears and the sowing can happen together. Do not wait for composure you do not yet have. Sow now, in tears if that is what today requires, trusting the sheaves this psalm promises will doubtless come.
Tend the Ground
- Name the precious seed you are carrying out to sow, even through current tears.
- Sow it today, specifically, rather than waiting for composure you do not yet have.
- Trust the doubtless promise of this psalm over your own uncertain feelings about the outcome.
Prayer
Lord, I am sowing in tears today, but I trust this seed is precious and this sowing is not wasted. Bring the sheaves you have doubtless promised. Amen.
Carry this today
Tears and sowing can happen together. Do not wait for composure.