SOWING IN TEARS

(Jeremiah 8:20 – 9:1,17-24 ; Psalms 126:5-6)
A Message by Rev. Dr. Vincent Leoh on 4th & 5th November 2000

I. TEARS IS A WONDERFUL THING

There are various kinds of tears:
Therapeutic. Attention-getting. Crocodile tears. Tears of self-pity. Tears of Godly sorrow.

II. TEARS IS A POWERFUL THING

A. Weeping Is Sowing In Death (Psalms 126:5-6)
The idea of sowing and death was common. As much as Jesus later says, “Unless a grain of wheat fails into the ground and dies, it remains alone” (John 12:24). Israel is sown in death in the exile.

B. Weeping Is A Sign Of Mourning
“You are in a good place when you weep before God, repenting over the least thing. When everything is wrong, you cry unto the Lord. It is when we are close to God that our hearts are revealed.” (Smith Wigglesworth)

Weeping and mourning for the right reasons:
1. Mourning for Self
- Personal sins and unworthiness
Examples of David (Ps. 42:3; 102:9) and Peter (Luke 22:62)
2. Mourning for Others
- Our Loved Ones: Their hurt and blindness to sin makes us sorrowful.
- The World: Its overwhelming problem and its failure to see its real need
makes us sorrowful.
Examples: Ezra (10:1) Isaiah (22:4,5) Micah (1:8) Paul (2 Cor.2:4) and
Our Lord Jesus Christ (John 11:35; Heb.5:7,8)

III. THE WEEPING PROPHET
(Jeremiah 9:1; Lamentations 1:16; 3:48-51)
The “weeping prophet” is the title often given to Jeremiah. His ministry was an intensely sad one and his song is in the minor key. His head was “waters” and his eyes a fountain of tears. Jeremiah was like Jesus, “a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” (Isa.53:3). Jeremiah felt the wound of his people in his own body and being. “For the hurt of the daughter of my people I am hurt” (8:21).

The Weeping Minister (Broken hearted people who know how to travail in tears (Joel 2:17). Christians of the broken heart, liked the weeping prophet represents are men and women of great spiritual power.

IV. WEEPING / MOURNING IS A LOST ART (9:17,18,20)
God encourages more mourning from even the professional mourners. They are even instructed to teach their children to mourn. Obviously it is a quality God wants to characterize His people. God calls His people to not only pray but also “fast and weep” (Joel 2:12,13,17).

V. HAPPY IS THE MAN WHO MOURNS (Mat.5:4)
What a contradiction of terms: “Blessed is he who mourns for he shall be comforted” (Mat.5:4). Comfort for those who weep (Isa.61:1-3). Promises of God for those who weep (Psa.6:8 ; 30:5 ; 2 Kings 20:5). Rewards for those who sow in tears (Psa.126:5-6). No tears in Heaven (Isa.25:8 ; Rev.21:4).