Psalm 126

A Bible Devotion from Psalm 126

Bearing Precious Seed

1When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.
2Then 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.
3The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.
4Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south.
5They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
6He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

Psalm 126, NKJV

Have you ever had one of those dreams from which you hated to wake up? I think that's exactly what David is referring to in the first three verses of Psalm 126. When God restored the fortunes of Israel it was so unbelievable that they felt like they were walking in a dream. Imagine their joy; they had been in captivity and the Lord just delivered them. Their joy was so great that even the heathen about them acknowledged that God had indeed done a great thing for Israel.

The captivity that David is adduding to here is not only the physical captivity of Israel by another nation, but also the spiritual captivity that the unsaved are in; a captivity to sin. He then goes on to relate the wondrous joy for the Christian who God uses to sow those seeds of salvation of salvation, and then take part in the release of those prisoners to freedom and joy in Christ.

Sometimes we think that as Christians we need to go out and drag people in to hear the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. We fail to understand that our very life is a living Gospel of Christ to all of the unconverted around us. When God has filled us with joy and we are bubbling over with happiness, everyone around us notices. Just a simple word of explanation to those around us of the greatness and glory of God in the way He is working in our life is a powerful presentation of the Gospel to those around us.

Two of the most wonderful verses in the Bible are found in Psalm 126, verses 5 and 6: 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. Here is a revelation of the great joy we experience when we sow seeds of the Gospel all around us and those seeds grow and mature into thriving plants. As those seeds are harvested into new Christians the joy we experience is much like that dream from verse 1. There is no greater delight for the Christian that for God allowing him the experience of leading a soul to Christ.

Pray today that God will help you to go about your day sowing in tears, bearing the precious seed of the Gospel to those around you. Pray also that God will allow you to come home with shouts of joy as you bring your sheaves with you.

Next: Psalm 127 - Above the Clouds

More Devotions on the 126th Psalm from my blog, Daily Bible Devotions.

Celebration, verses 1-4

Sow in Tears, verses 5-6