They that sow in tears

Text: Psalm 126:5–6 (KJV 1900)

5  They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

6  He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed,

Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

The beginning does not dictate the end. After a beginning of personal failures and much heartache and loss, God restored my life and turned my tears into rejoicing. This is the story for many Christians who have not lived the "fairytale," "normal," christian life.

And so it was for the people of this passage of Scripture as well. God had a good word for them:

God Is Doing Something Great

Text: Jeremiah 29:8-14 (KJV)

8 For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed. 9 For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, saith the LORD. 10 For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.

11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

* (God has a plan! God is doing something great in you tonight!)

12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. 13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. 14 And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.

Introduction:

*The story that I have read to you from the Bible tonight is a story of

hopelessness.

Psalm 137:1–4 (KJV 1900)

1 By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, When we remembered Zion. 2 We hanged our harps Upon the willows in the midst thereof.3  For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; And they that wasted us required of us mirth, Saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion. 4 How shall we sing the Lord’s song In a strange land?

* Perhaps you have been there- Many good people have.

* If you remember a few months ago when we went through the story on

video of “The pilgrims progress”, Christian, the main character got

off the path that Evangelist told him to stay on. He and his friend fell

into the dangerous “Sloth of Despond.”

* The sloth of despond was a shallow swamp that had sticky quicksand

that held Christian and his friend there, and they couldn’t get free.

* This Christian who falls into the sloth of despond wants to say like the

old commercial “Help I’ve fallen down and I can’t get up!

* In the story, A friend named Helpful, came along the path and saw them stuck there and pulled them out of the sloth to safety.

* This account represents the mental state that we Christians sometimes

find ourselves in when we get of the right path that God laid out for us in His Word, and we get side tracked in tribulations and trials and loose hope.

* These trials are described in I Peter 4:

1 Peter 4:12-13 (KJV)

12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

* John Bunyan was trying to describe the sudden bombardment that

Satan throws at new believers when they are just starting out on their

journey in this new life as a believer.

* Again this is described in Hebrews 10:

Hebrews 10:32-34 (KJV)

32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; 33 Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.

The Valley of Despond

I was reading recently about a young lawyer who descended into the “valley of despond.” Things were going so poorly for him that his friends thought it best to keep all knives and razors away from him for fear of a suicide attempt. In fact, during this time he wrote in his memoirs, “I am now the most miserable man living. Whether I shall ever be better, I cannot tell. I fear I shall not.” The young lawyer who unleashed these desperate feelings of utter hopelessness? ………….His name was Abraham Lincoln.

* In our text this evening we find the Children of Israel in the “Swamp of

Despond”

* The Bible teaches us in 1 Corinthians 10:11, that the things that

happened to the Children of Israel, happened to illustrate the

Christian life to us.

1 Corinthians 10:11 (KJV)

11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

* There are a few things about the Children of Israel in our text that I want to draw similarities to in our situation tonight:

I. They were in a bad situation.

A. They were in a strange land.

Psalm 137:1-4 (KJV)

1 By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. 2 We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof. 3 For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion. 4 How shall we sing the LORD’S song in a strange land?

* The Bible teaches us that we are to consider ourselves strangers and pilgrims in this world. We don’t belong here!

* You may be able to identify with the children of Israel this evening.

You feel like you are in a strange land this evening.

* Maybe you are single mother trying to manage in a world of two

parent families.

* You may have started out with great plans when you left high school,

but now you find your life has not turned out like you expected.

* You may find yourself in a bad marriage this evening. You never, ever

thought this could happen to you!

* You may be experiencing a financial disaster this evening. You just don’t know what you are going to do!

* Some of us had our lives all figured out when we were younger, but now your life is half over and your life is nothing like you imagined it! You are wondering where you went wrong! How did I get where I am now!

* Like the Children of Israel, you are in a strange land, you feel like you

don’t belong here! How could this be happening to me!

II. It seemed like there was no hope.

* Have you ever been is a situation that is seems there is no hope?

* There is no way out! I have no hope! I can’t hold on any longer! I

can’t see any light at the end of the tunnel! I am at the end of the

proverbial rope!

*Like Fred Sanford you are saying “Lizabeth- this is the big one! This last trial is all I can handle! I just can’t do this any more!

* It is imperative to know tonight that God has a plan, and that helpless

situations are PART OF THE PLAN!

* You may find yourself in a deep dark depression and you can’t see any

way out. There is no light at the end of the tunnel for you. All hope is

gone.

* This is the “Sloth of Despond.”

* This is where folks find themselves when they decide to take their own

life.

* My little brother John, at the age of 19, found himself in this place and

decided it was better to take a shotgun and end his life, than to go on

living in a land of hopelessness.

* As I knelt in the woods almost 35 years ago praying and morning my young brothers death, God revealed to my heart a plan. He implanted I my mind’s eye a vision. There I asked God to give me the opportunity to build a youth camp- a place where young men and women like my brother could find salvation and hope in the Lord.

* In my brother’s case Helpful did not come along and pull him out, but

rather when we went to the church for help, they sent him away where

in hopelessness he killed himself.

* Many times David, a man after God’s own heart, found himself in

situations where it seems like there was not hope.

* Once David found himself inches from death in a cave with the

soldiers of Saul.

Psalm 55:3-8 (KJV)

5 Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me. 6 And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest. 7 Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah. 8 I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest.

* It seems here that David, like you and I, was subject to great fears and

worries.

* It seems that the mighty king David had always remained the small Sheppard boy who loved his God with all his heart.

* When you read the book of Psalms, David’s life seems to be a

rollercoaster of emotions filled with prayer for wisdom and

deliverance in times of sorrow and trouble!

* Just as in David’s life, along with some good times in our lives, God

sends great troubles and trials our way.

* The Christian, in this life, hovers between hope and despair, between

faith and doubt.

* This “ no man’s land” is where most of us live the majority of our

Christian life, but God doesn’t’ want us to stay there.

* Solomon the writer of the books of Eccleasties, hovers between hope

and despair through the entire book, but listen to the conclusion of the book:

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (KJV)

13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

* God wants to do great things through us and for us, but He requires

that we trust in His plan for us!

Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

* David, at an young age, had learned the secret to having peace in a bad situation. He loved his God more than he feared his enemies.

* Was this not illustrated to us in the story of David and Goliath?

* Listen to the words of the apostle John as he explains how that when

we love God more than we fear the trials and afflictions this life, we

are set free from the fears that cripple us in this Christian life.

1 John 4:18 (KJV)

18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

* Just like David, you and I can face the giants of our own lives without

fear, because we love God more than we fear the enemy.

III. God can bring hope when there is no hope.

Psalm 34:17-19

17 The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. 18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.

Psalm 42:5-6

5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.

6 O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee…

IV. God has a plan just for you!

* Our Text said in Jeremiah 29 and verse 11 says:

11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

* (God has a plan! God is doing something great in you tonight!)

* I think of old Joseph. As a young boy, God had appeared to Joseph in a dream and revealed to him that He had a great plan and a purpose for his life.

* I’ve got a feeling that the old Devil began to work on Joseph’s mind while he was down there in that pit where his brothers threw him. I’ll bet he asked himself how in the world God could be working His plan for his life stuck down there in that pit.

* After they threw Joseph into the pit, he was sold into slavery. I bet the old Devil began to work on Joseph’s mind again as he worked as a slave for Potifer. I’m sure the thought ran through Joseph’s mind “How can I do anything for God as a slave in the house of a stranger!”

* After Joseph was sold as a slave, his master’s wife accused him of attempted rape and he was then thrown into prison! Now I’ll but you the old Devil showed up on Joseph’s shoulder and whispered in his ear “You have been such a fool! Look at you now! You are a total looser! Why did you ever think that God could use someone like you! Look at you now, now you’re in jail for rape, you aint never going to get out of this dungeon!

* What kept Joseph going through all these undeserved bad things? How did Joseph keep from just giving up!

* I’ll tell you what kept him going! I’ll tell you what kept Joseph from giving up! Joseph knew that God had a plan for his life! - and that plan was a plan for good, and not evil!

* After Joseph had interpreted a dream for the king of Egypt’s baker, the Baker promised to help him get out of jail, but the Baker didn’t do it! I bet the devil jumped right back on Joseph’s shoulder, and this time he wasn’t whispering! This time is the Devil is laughing at poor old Joseph! You foolish man! You are a grown man now.

You have already wasted your entire as a slave and in jail! And what for? Because you thing you are special! You have wasted your whole life waiting on God to do something with your life! And you thought God had a special plan for your life- HA! Hogwash! Your brothers were right! You are just a spoiled brat who thinks you are special!

* I’ll bet that Joseph was just about to believe the old Devil and his lies, when all of a sudden, out of the blue, someone walked into that dungeon and said the King of Egypt has called for Joseph to come before him!

* Joseph walked out of the prison right into the position of second in command of the greatest nation in all the world! Second only to the Pharaoh, King of Egypt!

* Listen to the words of Joseph as he revealed himself to his brothers when they came from his father’s house to buy grain and bowed down before him:

Genesis 50:18–21 (KJV 1900)

18 And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants. 19 And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? 20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. 21 Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.

* Joseph said it’s ok guys! God had a plan! And it was for Good and not evil!

* The New Testament says concerning our faith in God’s plan for us:

1 John 5:4

4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

A. Like the children of Israel and Joseph, God has a plan for you!

B. God’s plan for you is for good not evil.

1 Corinthians 2:9 (KJV)

9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

* Many times what we perceive to be evil is for our good.

Psalm 119:75 (KJV)

75 I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.

Proverbs 27:5-6 (KJV)

5 Open rebuke is better than secret love. 6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend…

John 15:15 (KJV)

15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends…

* God sent affliction into the life of David to draw him to his word.

Psalm 119:67 (KJV)

67 Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.

V. God can re-make his plan for you at any time.

* You may say, but I have messed my life up and I have destroyed

God’s plan for my life.

* Not only does God know everything that is, but He knows all

the possibilities of what could be.

* God is a sovereign God! He does anything he wants to! There is

nothing too hard for God. Would you not agree?

* God is able to make you a new plan for you! All you have to do is

submit yourself to him like clay to the potter’s hands.

Jeremiah 18:1-6 (KJV)

1 The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, 2 Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. 3 Then I went down to the potter’s house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. 4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. 5 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 6 O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.

* God is able to overcome the past.

* God overcame the past of Rahab.

Hebrews 11:31 (KJV)

31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.

* How are you going to be able to overcome your past? Like Rahab the harlot did- by faith in God’s plan for you!

Hebrews 11:36-40 (KJV)

36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

* If God can make a new plan for the harlot Rahab, He is just as able

to make you a new plan!

Conclusion:

* Are you cast down this morning? Make up your mind that you are going to love the creator of your plan more that you are going to fear the enemy!

* Have you messed up God’s plan for your live by refusing to live according to His Word this morning? Come to God and get a new plan this morning!

* Do you feel spiritually dead this morning? Let God’s Word raise you up this morning.

Psalm 119:50 (KJV)

50 This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.

Hebrews 12:11-13 (KJV)

11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. 12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; 13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.