This favorite old gospel song was written in 1874 with Lyrics by Knowles Shaw and music later added in 1880 by George Minor.  It is based on the following Psalm verse.

“He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.”  Psalm 126:6

Sowing the seed of the Gospel isn’t as easy as some would have you believe.  Not everyone is a farmer.  There are very few great evangelizers around anymore who share the unadulterated truth.  Excuses for not doing the work are many.  We find it difficult to say the right thing.  We don’t wish to come off as haughty or judgmental.  We don’t feel qualified.

As most farmers know, their business is risky.  They toil in the heat of the day – hope for just the right amount of rain and sun – wait patiently for the seed to take hold and grow – continue to pray for good weather and most always rely on God to make the crop bountiful.

Reaching out with the truth of God’s Word is best done by those who have experienced it first hand.  The Word can get us through the trials of life, can benefit us as we walk this earth and provides hope for eternity.  It’s not a secret to success, by worldly standards, but it is the greatest gift we can share with an ailing, sin sick world.

This doesn’t mean we’ll all be missionaries.  It doesn’t mean we have to stand on a box and preach repentance.  It doesn’t mean looking down our noses at the unchurched.  It does mean that because we have received this gift freely from God Himself, we have an obligation to tell others about it and share the joy with them.  We personally are not going to change hearts and minds.  Only God can do that.  We are the sowers, the seed planters and the farmers.  We tell others and wait patiently for God to do His miraculous work in those who receive it.

Come on, everyone.  The fields have never been more ready.  It’s time to get out there and sow some seeds.  We will come rejoicing as we bring in the sheaves.