Verse 5. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. ] This is either a maxim which they gather from their own history, or it is a fact which they are now witnessing. We see the benefit of humbling ourselves under the mighty hand of God; we have now a sweet return for our bittertears. Or, We have sown in tears; now we reap in joy. We are restored after a long and afflicting captivity to our own country, to peace, and to happiness.
Verses 4-6 - The beginnings of mercies encourage us to pray for the completion of them. And while we are in this world there will be matter for prayer even when we are most furnished with matter for praise. Sufferin saints are often in tears; they share the calamities of human life, an commonly have a greater share than others. But they sow in tears; the do the duty of an afflictedstate. Weeping must not hinder sowing; we must get good from times of affliction. And they that sow, in the tear of godly sorrow, to the Spirit, shall of the Spirit reap lif everlasting; and that will be a joyfulharvest indeed. Blessed ar those that mourn, for they shall be for ever comforted. When we mour for our sins, or suffer for Christ's sake, we are sowing in tears, to reap in joy. And remember that God is not mocked; for whatever a ma soweth that shall he reap, Ga 6:7-9. Here, O disciple of Jesus, behol an emblem of thy present labour and future reward; the day is comin when thou shalt reap in joy, plentiful shall be thy harvest, and grea shall be thy joy in the Lord __________________________________________________________________
