Zion's Harp ‎#36

36. Tearful sowing brings glad harvest

1 Tearful sowing brings glad harvest Where our Master’s will is done, When for Him, the Lord, of harvest, Through His Spirit fruits are grown. Love, humility and meekness, Faith and patience, purity, Righteousness, although in weakness, Are here found in unity. 2 Days of suff’ring beneficial For the Master’s brethren here; As these bodily afflictions Chasten those who God do fear. As the gold by fire is brightened, Also faith through trials drear, While our Saviour thus enlightens And in this way draws us near. 3 Passing are the flesh’s afflictions, Transient are the spirit’s needs. Passing are all vain affections, Not the everlasting deeds. Pain and torture soon are ended In those who Christ do possess; Therefore, brethren, be contented To remain in truth and grace. 4 Many strong temptations meet us Who united are with Christ. Satan boldly would delude us That with him we should unite; He would have us seek the pleasures Which at last will bring remorse; Yet these vain and passing treasures In the end would prove a curse. 5 Satan’s host through seeming gladness Shall go unto endless pain, But the saints by way of sadness Shall the marriage-supper gain. Then, my soul, let nothing move thee From the straight and narrow way, Even though the body weaken, Ere you reach your burial-day. 6 Since our Lord once bore the anger, When He wrought our peace with God, Love is now the only purpose Of the Father’s chastening rod. Then, O Pilgrim, think not lightly Of the Father’s chastening; Seek that it may bring you onward, While you’re heavenward hastening. 7 With correction, God remindeth Every child that it must be; And the more of fruit he findeth On Christ’s branches, fair to see. All the more the shoots that hinder, He doth prune with watchful eye, That more fruit each branch may render For His kingdom there on high. 8 As the sultry days of summer Swiftly ripen earthly grain, So in days of dire affliction Shall our faith its growth attain. And beneath this heat and burden Shall the Christian be prepared For his happy home in heaven, Where God’s bliss and joy is shared. 9 Soon, perhaps, you too may enter Where the golden harps resound; Where the saints the palms are bearing And the faithful ones are crowned; Therefore, cling to Christ your Saviour; Daily wrestle, hope, and fight; With Him pierce through all the darkness Into His eternal light. 10 If He all your heart is filling, Is the Hope of all your dreams, From your body will be welling Of His grace the brightest beams. All the light of morning breaking Ushers in a joyous day, So your lips with fervor speaking, Will declare: Christ is the Way!

Text Information

• First Line: Tearful sowing brings glad harvest
• Original Language: German
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 2003
• Source: Zions-Harfe, oder, Lieder für die Versammlungen der Gläubigen, Bern, Switzerland, 1844

Tune Information

(No tune information)