Lent Devotional: Bringing in the Sheaves.

Psalm 126

A song of ascents.

1 

When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,

    we were like those who dreamed.

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.

4 

Restore our fortunes, Lord,

    like streams in the Negev.

5 

Those who sow with tears

    will reap with songs of joy.

6 

Those who go out weeping,

    carrying seed to sow,

will return with songs of joy,

    carrying sheaves with them.

Anyone else watch "Little House on the Prairie?"  I imagine most of you have at least watched an episode here and there.  I loved it when I was growing up.  In fact, I can still picture the characters in my head.  Mean Ol' Nellie and her mother, Mr. Olsen the nice storekeeper, Charles Engalls the hard working father.  Once in a while we would see the one-room schoolhouse and Ms. Beadle would be teaching all the kids or ringing the bell to gather them back in from recess.  The schoolhouse was also the church.  Every Sunday they would load up their wagons and put on their best dresses to go and worship.  Rev. Alden was the pastor's name.  He often served as the voice of reason in the community.  It seemed like every time the church was a part of the show they would sing "Bringing in the Sheaves."

This Psalm speaks of a God who provides.  It speaks of the restoration of the people's fortunes, and more importantly of the ability to dream and laugh and sing.  This is the God who turns tears into songs of joy and weeping into great fulfillment.

I imagine any farmer can relate to the relief and joy that comes from a good harvest.  I know that we can all understand the great freedom that comes with the opportunity to dream, knowing that these dreams just might come to fruition.  

The Psalm speaks about the gathering up of the harvest, often thought to be a challenge to share our faith stories with others, in order that God's "crop" be bountiful.  Perhaps you have not been in the business of making disciples, but have done your best to live a life filled with the joy of the Lord.  Either way, what is the harvest that you are being called to reap?  What are the "sheaves" that you long to bring in?  How has God blessed and provided for your needs?  And, of course, what dreams do you dream because of it?  

Take a moment and read the lyrics of the song (you may have forgotten them).  

Sowing in the morning, sowing seeds of kindness,

Sowing in the noontide and the dewy eve;

Waiting for the harvest, and the time of reaping,

We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

Refrain:

Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves,

We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves,

Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves,

We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

Sowing in the sunshine, sowing in the shadows,

Fearing neither clouds nor winter’s chilling breeze;

By and by the harvest, and the labor ended,

We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

Refrain

Going forth with weeping, sowing for the Master,

Though the loss sustained our spirit often grieves;

When our weeping’s over, He will bid us welcome,

We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

Prayer:  Dear Lord, help me to dream.  Help me to be present enough to recognize the blessings in my midst.  Where there is much to be reaped I pray you would guide my words and actions that others might come to know your love in and through me.  Give me the desire to live in deep connection with you.  Amen.