Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy.
Present distress is not the end but only a means to it. Sorrow is the sowing; rejoicing is the reaping. If we never wept we would never know laughter; if we were never captives we could never lead captivity captive. This promise belongs specially to sowing in tears and will not fail.
AI summary
Those who returned were still in distress, and many remained in Babylon; they rejoiced with trembling. The mercy completed would be as welcome as streams of water in the parched south country. Even in prosperity we must not forget our brethren in trouble. All suffering saints may rest assured their tears will end in a harvest of joy at last.
AI summary
Commenting on Psalm 126:4-6
Praying and seeking the Lord is sowing in righteousness, often attended with tears; the issue lies buried like seed but will rise in due time. Saints should wait patiently as the husbandman waits; in due time it produces a plentiful harvest. Now is the sowing time and sorrowful; before long they will reap in joy.
AI summary