Psalm 126 | Sowing in Tears; Reaping with Joy

Psalm 126 | Sowing in Tears; Reaping with Joy from CrossPointe Coast on Vimeo.

Preacher: Jeremiah Fyffe
Scripture: Psalm 126

1. REMEMBERING AND SINGING
2. PRAYING AND HOPING

Eugene Peterson
The enormous entertainment industry in America is a sign of the depletion of joy in our culture. Society is a bored, gluttonous king employing a court jester to divert it after an overindulgent meal. But that kind of joy never penetrates our lives, never changes our basic constitution.

Matthew 5:16
let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Eugene Peterson
A common but futile strategy for achieving joy is trying to eliminate things that hurt: get rid of pain by numbing the nerve ends, get rid of insecurity by eliminating risks, get rid of disappointment by depersonalizing your relationships. And then try to lighten the boredom of such a life by buying joy in the form of vacations and entertainment. There isn’t a hint of that in Psalm 126. Laughter is a result of living in the midst of God’s great works. Enjoyment is not an escape from boredom but a plunge by faith into God’s work.

Charles Spurgeon
The Lord who alone turns our captivity does nothing by halves: those whom he saves from hell he brings to heaven. He turns exile into ecstasy, and banishment into bliss.

Galatians 6:9
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Tim Keller
Why was Jesus always weeping? Why do you think he was always crying? Because he was perfect. Because he was more loving than us. Because he was more compassionate than us. Because he was more sensitive to God’s heart than us. Because he had higher aspirations for people than we do. And the more perfect you get, the more you’re going to weep.

Psalm 30:11–12
You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
you have loosed my sackcloth
and clothed me with gladness,
that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever!

COMMUNITY GROUP QUESTIONS

1. Read Psalm 126:1-3. Do you find it easy to resonate with a season of laughter and joy, or do you find that difficult given your present circumstances?
2. The first half of the psalm is the psalmist calling to mind a time in the past when the Lord brought great rescue and blessing to the people of God. Can you recall a time when you have seen God work mightily for your joy and the joy of the church?
3. Read Psalm 126:4-6. The actual context and circumstance of the psalm is a difficult season, a season of sowing in tears. We know this because the psalmist prays, “Restore our fortunes, O LORD.” How do you understand the phrase, “those who sow in tears.” What does this look and feel like?
4. Consider Galatians 6:9 and 1 Corinthians 15:58. How does this psalm encourage us as we persevere in loving and building up the church and loving and serving our community?