Charles H. Spurgeon on Psalms 126:5

The Christian Husbandman.

1. Illustrate the metaphor. The husbandman has a great variety of work before him; every season and every day brings its proper business. So the Christian has duties in the closet, in the family, in the church, in the world, etc., etc.

2. Whence it is that many Christians sow in tears. a) It may be owing to the badness of the soil. b) The inclemency of the season. c) The malice and opposition of enemies. d) Past disappointments.

3. What connection there is between sowing in tears and reaping in joy. a) A joyful harvest, by God's blessing, is the natural consequence of a dripping seed time. b) God, who cannot lie, hath promised it.

4. When this joyful harvest may be expected. It must not be expected in our wintry world, for there is not sun enough to ripen it. Heaven is the Christian's summer. When you come to reap the fruits of your present trials, you will bless God, who made you sow in tears. Improvement. a) How greatly are they to blame who in this busy time stand all the day idle! b) How greatly have Christians the advantage of the rest of the world! c) Let the hope and prospect of this joyful harvest support us under all the glooms and distresses of this vale of tears. —Outline of a Sermon by Samuel Lavington, 1726-1807.