These last few years have been a bit of a mixed bag. We’re still here, even though many of us have come down with COVID. And most of us Americans have much more than we need, even during these crazy times of inflation. But maybe your health isn’t what it used to be. Maybe you’ve lost a loved one. Or maybe the day-to-day struggle of caring for folks who aren’t getting any better is just wearing you down.

The Psalmist would certainly understand, for he describes someone sowing seed in a field with tears in his eyes (verse 5). Yes, because the Lord had brought His people back from captivity in Babylon (verse 1), the psalmist has a field to plant. Yes, he has seed to plant. Yes, he has great reason for hope, and even for rejoicing (verses 1-2).

But at the same time, he can see no growth yet, no immediate improvement in his condition. All he can see is the labor that stretches in front of him, and the high taxes he owes to his foreign overlords. And so he weeps because he wonders if his efforts will ever bear fruit, and because he remembers the ease and prosperity he used to enjoy.

So, how do we deal with both the blessings and the disappointments of life? For like the psalmist, we have been richly blessed. All those who trust in Christ can look back with wonder on our deliverance, not from exile in Babylon, but from bondage to sin and death. We can remember the great things that the Lord has done for us by the finished work of Christ on the cross (verse 3).

So in spite of our present problems, however serious they might be, we can look forward with hope. For we can be sure that Christ will keep His promise to return, setting us free from the remnants of sin in our lives. And when He comes, He has assured us that He will make all things right, cleansing the world of anything that stands in opposition to Him. Yes, on that day, we’ll be able to see the fruit of all our labor, all the things we have done for His glory and for the good of others. On that day, we will indeed reap with joyful shouting (verses 5-6).

So, no matter how many tears we may shed today, let’s press on in faith and hope, assured of God’s great love for us today, and confident of His promises of a better world to come.

Psalm 126 (NASB)

A Song of Ascents.
When the LORD brought back the captive ones of Zion, We were like those who dream.
2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, And our tongue with joyful shouting; Then they said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.”
3 The LORD has done great things for us; We are glad.
4 Restore our captivity, O LORD, As the streams in the South.
5 Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting.
6 He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed, Shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.