Sowing for Reaping by F. Storer Clark

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jun 11, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 23.

Sowing for Reaping.

By F. Storer Clark

One wrote of a great general’s plan, “It was a bold one, full of danger in case of defeat, but he intended to conquer.”

Doubtless the expectation of success is a great element in securing it. The great Master, wishing his workers to have every helpful motive to patient, persevering work, has given them abundant encouragement in the promises of his word. St. Paul’s words are, “Be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” Thus too he says earlier in the same epistle, “He that ploweth ought to plow in hope, and he that thresheth to thresh in hope of partaking.” (Revised version.) It is to be feared, however, that many workers are not thus hopeful; they expect scarcely any results to flow from their labors, at all events, not for a long time to come. They sow, but seem to have no thoughts of reaping. Perhaps it was not so when they first took up their work. Maybe they then rushed forward to it eagerly, expecting at once to grasp the prize, but hope deferred soon made the heart sick. They are tempted to give up the work in despair or disgust, because the results they expected are not apparent at once.

The one hundred and twenty-sixth psalm seems to refer to a similar case. When the children of the captivity heard of the promised return to their sacred land, the idea was at first so overwhelming in its joyousness that it seemed like a dream—“Our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing.” But soon they realized that the desired end was yet remote and the way difficult. Great hardships and grievous toils had first to be encountered. There were to be bitter tears before abiding joys. When they were losing heart, God seems to say, “Comfort ye, comfort ye, my people.” “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” This is God’s rule in nature as in grace. Present self-sacrifice leads to future benefits. God would also thus encourage the Christian workers who are seeking to bring pilgrims to the promised land. They must not lose heart, for their efforts would be paralyzed. God would have their hearts steeped in hope. They must be “looking unto Jesus who, for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame.”

“It is the way the Master went; Should not the servant tread it still?”

The promise is, “In due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” It is for the Master, not for us, to judge when the season is due.

When the disciples could not cure the lad with the unclean spirit they came to Jesus apart, and said, “Why could not we cast him out?” If workers who bemoan the lack of success did so, they would soon hear the reply, “Because of your little faith;” little faith being a road to failure as well as no faith. With full faith in the Master, his promises, his resources, his Spirit, the blessed results must be secured. The worker may toil assured of success. Yea, too, abundant success. He carried forth a few seeds; he will bring home sheaves. And joyous success, for he shall “reap with joy;” he “shall bring his sheaves rejoicing.” He will share his Master’s joy, who, as the faithful Shepherd, brings back “the sheep on his shoulders rejoicing,” for of him it has been said in prophecy, “He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied.”—F. Storer Clark, M. A., in Church-Worker.