Oct. 18

Charles Spurgeon · Faith's Checkbook

TEARS, THEN JOYFUL HARVEST

   "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy" Ps. 126:5

   Weeping times are suitable for sowing: we do not want the ground to be
   too dry. Seed steeped in the tears of earnest anxiety will come up all
   the sooner. The salt of prayerful tears will give the good seed a
   flavor which will preserve it from the worm: truth spoken in awful
   earnestness has a double life about it. Instead of stopping our sowing
   because of our weeping, let us redouble our efforts because the season
   is so propitious.

   Our heavenly seed could not fitly be sown laughing. Deep sorrow and
   concern for the souls of others are a far more fit accompaniment of
   godly teaching than anything like levity. We have heard of men who went
   to war with a light heart, but they were beaten; and it is mostly so
   with those who sow in the same style.

   Come, then, my heart, sow on in thy weeping, for thou hast the promise
   of a joyful harvest. Thou shalt reap. Thou, thyself, shalt see some
   result of thy labor. This shall come to thee in so large a measure as
   to give thee joy, which a poor, withered, and scanty harvest would not
   do. When thine eyes are dim with silver tears, think of the golden
   corn. Bear cheerfully the present toil and disappointment; for the
   harvest day will fully recompense thee.