“Restore our fortunes, Lord, like streams in the Negev. Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.”
—Psalm 126:4-6 NIV

The Negev is a desert in southern Israel.

That is how the author of this psalm felt: dry, lifeless and desperate.

There is an interesting parallel here. On the one hand, they ask God to make rain fall in a dry region. And on the other hand, they speak of their tears dropping on the ground as they sow seeds in the dusty soil.

I don’t think this symbolism was accidental.

Sometimes God’s deliverance comes suddenly, like the flash floods that turn the gullies of the Negev desert into streams of water in mere minutes.

But other times the only thing moistening the dry ground is the tears we shed as we wait for God to bring rain.

Whatever the case, we can be sure of this: after sowing comes the harvest.

If you are in a season of mourning right now, don’t rush it. Let God use your tears as fertilizer to produce fruit that remains in your life.

And never give up hope. Remember: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” (Matthew 5:4).

Here is a simple prayer to carry with you today:

Inhale: Those who sow with tears;
Exhale: Will reap with songs of joy.