tough now, but joy soon: One Year Bible Reading for December 7

 Today we read from these verses in the One Year Bible:

Hosea 6:1-9:17
3 John 1:1-14
Psalm 126:1-6
Proverbs 29:12-14

Let's look at the Psalm. David says:

When the Lord restored the fortunes of[a] Zion,
    we were like those who dreamed.[b]
2 Our mouths were filled with laughter,
    our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
    “The Lord has done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us,
    and we are filled with joy.

Restore our fortunes, O Lord,

   Like streams in the Negev.

Those who sow with tears

   will reap with tears of joy.

Those who go out weeping,

   carrying seed to sow,

will return with songs of joy,

  carrying sheaves with them.

What a beautiful song. And it tells us, along with St Therese of Lisieux, that suffering now means rewards later. You might really be feeling the tears in this valley of tears today. But take heart. If you sow your tears of sadness and suffering now, you'll reap tears of joy later. Trust Him.

God, thanks for reminding us that suffering now means joy later.

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