Psalm 126:5 “They that sow
in tears shall reap in joy.”
I
have a story to share about “the tears.” In the month of June one Sunday
morning at the Riverside Deaf Church in California, I had a special farewell
song to the Deaf Congregation to sing to in sign language, “He Washed My Eyes
with Tears.” While I was singing the song, I suddenly burst into tears, I mean,
really flowing tears. The Deaf Church had a Kleenex box near me to wipe my
tears every now and then. The Deaf congregation didn’t seems to mind because
they also were weeping with me. It was an unforgettable experience for all of
us. In case you asked, “What’s so special about it?”
It
was when Tony and I just got married in June 3, 1967 and a week later after the
honeymoon on Sunday in the month of June, it was the last day for me to leave
the Riverside Deaf Church in California I sort of grew up with when I was a
teenager. I had been involved with lots of Church activities, Movie Ministry,
Youth Ministry and Outstation Ministry. I didn’t realized until that day of
leaving that we were kind of closely knitted and it nearly broke my heart into
tears. The song, “He Washed My Eyes with Tears” meant a lot to me then.
For
me, leaving the Riverside Deaf Church means the beginning of the new life with
Tony. In the month of June 1967 we began our traveling ministry of Evangelism
in Oklahoma Deaf Camp and several Deaf Churches and throughout the United
States that Maxine Strobridge, the former National Representative of Assembly
of God had arranged the advanced dates for almost two years. We only had a
Mercury car to travel with and we were blessed to able to sleep at any kinds of
beds we had already slept in for almost two years. Imagine that!
“They
that sow in tears shall reap with joy” applied to many souls we have won to the
Lord during those two years of traveling ministry. Psalm 126:6 “He that goeth
forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with
rejoicing, bringing his sheaves (souls) with him.” NIV: “Those who go out
weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves
with them.”
Song: He Washed My Eyes
with Tears
He
washed my eyes with tears—that I might see—
The
broken heart I had—was good for me;
He
tore it all apart—and looked inside,
He
found it full of fear—and foolish pride.
He
swept away the things—that made me blind,
And
then I saw the clouds—were silver lined;
And
now I understand—‘twas best for me—
He
washed my eyes with tears—that I might see.
He
washed my eyes with tears—that I might see—
The
glory of Himself—revealed to me;
I
did not know that He—had wounded hands,
I
saw the blood He spilt—upon the sands.
I
saw the marks of shame—and wept and cried,
He
was my substitute—for me He died;
And
now I’m glad He came—so tenderly,
And
washed my eyes with tears—that I might see.
(Ira F. Stanphill, Country Wester Gospel
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