Tears To Joy

PSALM 126 KJV

When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.

Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them.

The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.

Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the south.

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.

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Times can be very difficult. People can be very mean to one another. Without thought; without care, they will slander one another just to feed their own self-righteous egos; to attempt to justify their own sinful natures.

Psalm 126 is a reminder that though we may have tears in our eyes today we can also have hope. We wait and hope for the day when those tears will turn to joy as the Lord has promised. Trust in the Lord for He is with you through these troubled times.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Pray of Tears

Psalm 126:4-6 NIV
Restore our fortunes, Lord,
    like streams in the Negev.
Those who sow with tears
    will reap with songs of joy.
Those who go out weeping,
    carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
    carrying sheaves with them.

The pray of tears is the center of discussion at our book study today. We are reading "Prayer: Finding the Heart's True Home" written by Richard J. Foster.

What is the prayer of tears? It is simply this: acknowledging that our sinful natures have separated us from God our Father and our Lord, Jesus the Christ. It is the understanding that we have turned our backs on the one who was willing to die for us. The prayer of tears brings us to repentance and is a part of repentance. Saying we are sorry does not mean much unless the sorrow over our sins is genuine. Genuine sorrow usually brings tears; whether those tears are visible from the outside or whether our spirit weeps inwardly.

But, with the sorrow also comes much joy as we realize that Jesus truly loves us so much that he was willing to bear the consequences of our sins on the cross for us. In this humble act of unconditional love, we rejoice. Our sorrow turns to joy.

The prayer of tears is both a sorrow in that we have not loved as we have been loved and a joy in that God, Himself, would love us so immensely, reconciling us, in spite of all that we have done to separate ourselves from Him.

May God help us all to turn and return to Him that we might be restored in His Kingdom.

God's Peace - Pr. J