This scripture (Psa. 126:55They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. (Psalm 126:5)) is a real encouragement to those who have the privilege of laboring among the young in the Sunday school.
Our labor is sowing the seed, the good seed of the Word of God. We endeavor Sunday after Sunday, rain or shine, to sow the precious seed, and the character of the soil many times causes us exercise, sorrow and disappointment.
In our scripture we get one of those precious "shalls" which so often encourage. It says, "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy." The reaping time shall come. When? We are not told. It may be our privilege to see the seed fall on good ground and bring forth fruit which delights our hearts. But it may be that the seed of the Word will be hidden away for years until God the Holy Spirit recalls it to the mind and applies it to the heart. Even then it can do its work and bear fruit for the eye of God, perhaps and most likely, never to be seen by the sower on this earth.
We sow with a view to the future, knowing the harvest time must come. Surely the reaping time will only be in its fullness when we get home to glory, when the Lord of the harvest comes, bringing His sheaves with Him. What a harvest that will be! What a harvest for the Savior when He sees of the travail of His soul and is satisfied. We shall share His joy as gathered there together around Himself and see those for whom we have watched and prayed with many tears. While each one is filled with rapture at the sight of our blessed Redeemer, how thankful we shall be that we were permitted to be one of His sowers while He waited in patience over this poor sin-stained world.
Shall our children, those who attended our classes, be present in that day? Oh, dear fellow-laborer, be in earnest. Be sure you sow the right seed, the Word of God, which is "quick [living] and powerful," and sow it in tears. The Apostle could say that he served the Lord with all humility of mind and with many tears, and he "ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears." How earnest he was for those among whom he labored. Does not this show that we should speak feelingly, lovingly and earnestly?
Do our children really know that we long for their salvation? Does our message convey the solemnity of refusing the Savior? Are we really sufficiently touched by the love of Jesus ourselves so as to touch others?
May the Lord give us to speak with that earnestness, that ardor and that warning, even with tears, which will reach the hardest hearts in our classes. But before we can do this, let us remember to be in earnest and on our knees before the Lord for each dear child. The Lord alone knows the burden on our heart and sees the tears as we plead for His blessing on the seed sown, without which our efforts are in vain. The Lord who put the desire in our hearts will assuredly bless His Word in His own time and way according to His precious promise, "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.”