December 07, 2018
There are many times that we do our work, but it is hard or painful and it looks like it is all done for nothing.
The Psalmist writes of the Israelites who had been in captivity and now, after many years, were returning to their beloved Jerusalem.
Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting. He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed, shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him. (Psalm 126:5-6)
CONTINUED SOWING
The great lesson is that we must continue ""sowing."" We must do the right thing persistently and faithfully, even when we don't see the results we desire. We trust in the law of the harvest: that if we sow, we will one day reap a harvest.
And, we must remember that all we are doing is for a higher purpose and Person. We do our work faithfully “as unto the Lord.”
THE PROMISED RETURN
God sees this faithfulness and will always reward. The results may not be what the sower desired in the way or the time they anticipated. But God's promises are bigger than man's rebellion or the world’s pressures. He will answer the faithful in time. He will bring them back with the fruit of their labor in hand (""bringing his sheaves with him"").
THE TESTIMONY
I often told my mother during a season when my dad was rebelling and leaving her for another woman, ""Mom, you just want to keep taking the next right step: loving, forgiving, confronting when God prompts, and leave the results to God. You want to lay your head on the pillow each night knowing you've done the right thing. And the person who does the right thing in Christ always wins.""
And she did. And you will too.
February 18, 2025
I have known many people who have had great joy and power in the midst of great suffering. It is humbling that the slightest inconveniences deter many of us from following God. We have not gotten to the bottom—settled the issue. Most often, we live for our comfort, reputation, or gain. When any of those goals are touched, we are troubled and discontent.
February 17, 2025
The repentant who finds God gains everything. “He who has God and everything else,” said C.S. Lewis, “has no more than he who has God alone.”
February 12, 2025
Repentance helps us. Repentance heals us. Repentance restores us and refreshes us. And these are all the outcomes a loving Father desires for His children.
