Blake Allen

Dunbar Cave Campus Pastor 

Psalm 126:1-6

When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.” The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad. Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like streams in the Negeb! Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him. 

This Psalm was written at a time when God’s people had been set free from captivity. Imagine being taken from your home, enslaved, and forced to live life in exile. Then, you are released and on a Pilgramage home. You look up and see the sign that says welcome Tennessee and a breath of fresh air comes your way. This may capture the idea of what it was like for the Israelites to arrive back home in Jerusalem. 

When you think about the difficulty they faced, its not hard to imagine their response of worship when they are finally released from the bonds of captivity. But what does worship look like in the struggle? The Psalmist says, “he who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him. 

I’ve never looked at it like this before but oftentimes, seasons of sorrow or struggle are opportunites for sowing. And by sowing in difficult season, it will produce joy to be later reaped. In other words, in seasons of difficulty, we still should be busy doing kingdom things. We trust God in the difficulty, we serve, we share, we pray, we live on mission, etc. We sow seed by trusting Jesus and having faith in times of weeping or mourning. The ability to constantly and consistently walk in faith will lead to a fruitful harvest in your life. “Joy comes in the morning.”

Never let Satan take you out of the game. Trust God and contine to sow.