“Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting. He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”
Psalm 126:5–6
Psalm 126 contains a wonderful promise for every believer. It reminds us that God sees every seed we sow for His Kingdom and that He is faithful to bring a harvest in His perfect time. But these verses also teach us something very important about the season between sowing and reaping.
The psalm paints a beautiful picture. A farmer walks into his field carrying seed. He knows that if there is ever going to be a harvest, he must first sow what he has. Once the seed leaves his hand, it disappears beneath the soil. For a time, the field looks exactly the same. Nothing appears to be happening. Yet beneath the surface, God is already at work.
This is often how our walk with the Lord looks.
The psalm tells us that the farmer goes out weeping. Why is he weeping? I do not believe these are tears of despair. They are the tears that often accompany sacrifice. Every farmer knows that once the seed leaves his hand, he cannot take it back. He lets it go, trusting that God will do what only He can do.
Our walk with God often requires the same kind of faith.
Sometimes obedience means continuing to pray even though the answer has not yet come. Sometimes it means serving when we are tired, giving when it costs us something, forgiving when we have been hurt, or continuing to share the Good News even when hearts seem closed. We obey God because we trust Him, even when we cannot yet see the fruit of our obedience.
The psalm also tells us that the one who continually goes forth sowing is the one who eventually returns with rejoicing. Between sowing and reaping there is always a season of waiting, and it is often during that season that God grows our faith. He teaches us to depend on Him rather than on what we can see.
Like every believer, we sometimes wish we could see the harvest immediately. But the Lord asks us to remain faithful with the seed while He takes responsibility for the harvest.
Here in Israel, we experience this truth regularly.
Sometimes we meet someone through one of our Humanitarian Aid Centers. Sometimes it begins with a simple conversation after a service, a Bible study, or a prayer with someone who is carrying a heavy burden. We do not always see immediate results.
Some people come for practical assistance many times before they ask for prayer. Others spend months reading the Scriptures before they begin asking questions about Yeshua. Often, the harvest comes long after the first seed has been planted.
Over the years, I have learned that no seed planted for God’s Kingdom is ever wasted.
Every act of kindness, every conversation, every prayer, every Bible study, and every sacrifice made for the Kingdom is a seed planted into someone’s life. We may not always see what God is doing beneath the surface, but He is always at work. In His perfect timing, He brings growth, opens hearts, and produces fruit that only He can produce.
Perhaps today you feel as though you have been sowing for a long time without seeing much fruit. Maybe you have been praying for a family member, faithfully serving in your congregation, or believing God for a breakthrough that has not yet come.
If that is you, do not lose heart.
Continue sowing the seeds God has placed in your hands. Continue praying. Continue serving. Continue loving people. Continue proclaiming His truth with grace and compassion. None of it is in vain.
The wonderful promise of Psalm 126 is that those who faithfully sow will one day return with rejoicing. Our responsibility is to sow faithfully. The harvest belongs to the Lord. As we remain obedient to Him, we can rest in the confidence that He is working, even when we cannot yet see it. And when His appointed time comes, the tears of sowing will give way to the joy of reaping.
May the Lord encourage your heart this Shabbat and strengthen your faith to keep sowing the seeds He has entrusted to you. He is faithful to His promises, and in His perfect time, He will bring the harvest for His glory.
Shabbat Shalom,
Pastor Israel Pochtar
