Time For God: Day 18

Focus: Psalm 126:5-6
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.

Reflect:
The Prairie family faced a third harvest disaster. “We’ll have to sell the farm,” they said. “We came to the Prairies with high hopes. We sold all we owned to be here. We can’t buy any more seed. We can’t sow; we must sell.” Their tears told their story.

Recounting their plight, the family saw no help in sight. Later, their pastor called me. Good news! Another farmer offered his assistance. He donated badly needed seed. Hope eased despair. I had seen their weeping; now I imagined their relief and joy.

My wife’s father worked in different harvest field. As a personal evangelist, he served in London. Visiting people at risk, he spoke at soup kitchens and shelters. He stood in front of countless doors sharing hope in Christ. He prayed blessing into many lives. He witnessed transformation.
At one time, he was appointed to share the Gospel and offer pastoral care to Romany travellers. Calling on them involved charming their angry guard dogs. Visiting the neighbouring racetrack he spoke to the wealthy and the poor as they gambled the odds on an uncertain future.

Later, he served as Chaplain to the Peak Freans biscuit factory in South London. One evening, a cloud of tiny sugar particles floated into the air. Without warning it spontaneously combusted in what folks later called “the great chocolate bourbon explosion.” Taking one life, it hurt dozens more. Caring for the injured, he visited hospital wards. Sent to workers’ homes he brought news to their next of kin. Through the long night he prayed with staff and workers in distress.
Christian worker are called to sow in tears; they touch life’s tragedies. They often face rejection. Over his lifetime, he reaped a harvest for the Lord. Many found their hope in Jesus. A plentiful harvest glorifies God, delivering joy, recovery, and blessing.

Consider:
How do you seek to bear fruit through your faith? When your efforts seem hard and your tears are real what sustains you? What causes your heart to rejoice, today? How will you share the joy of the Lord with family and friends?

Pray:
Lord God, some days are just too tough; I’m utterly spent. The strength to carry on evaporates. When my resources fail, yours have just begun. I gladly rest in that reassurance. Fill me with your love again. Restore my joy. I long to see You touch a loved one with your hope. Enable me to show Christ’s love to others. Amen.