“Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.” Psalm 126:5,6

What a promise! Think of it… When you sow in tears, you will enjoy a marvelous and abundant return in your investment.

If you have ever reached through an invisible wall of pain to embrace God with willful thanks, you have sown in tears. If you’ve ever been rejected by a loved one and yet turned the other cheek in love, you have sown in tears. If you have patiently endured physical affliction, or responded in love through a difficult marriage, then this could be your verse.

When you hurt physically or emotionally, it’s hard to muster a patient or godly response. Pain has a way of screaming for our undivided attention. But when you either offer a sacrifice of praise to God in the midst of your hurt, or respond in faith to a heartbreak or hardship, you are sowing in tears. Take heart, for one day God will reward you with sheaves (bundles) of joy – all because you were faithful through tears.

“I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.””

Revelation 21:3-4

From a devotional by Joni Eareckson Tada