Tears

Tears are one of the first things we express when we arrive here on earth. As babies, all we can do is cry to convey our needs. Tears come with different emotions. Tears can be an expression of happiness. I had a great grandmother who would always cry when she was very happy. We would give her birthday gifts, and she would cry. I took a picture with her on my wedding day, and she was about to cry. Tears are most often associated with sadness and sorrow. Many a tear has been shed over the loss of a loved one or some other tragic circumstance. Tears can also be shed in moments of deep frustration or anger. Whatever the reason for the tears, God understands what we are going through. When He was here on earth, He cried while walking to the tomb of His friend, Lazarus. He knows what it is like to be human and feel deep emotion. Also in Hebrews 5: 6-8, the Bible says, "As He also says in another place: 'You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.' Who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him Who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered." Jesus, like us, cried out to the Father with tears in his anguish. Jesus was not spared death on the cross because of His tears. Sometimes, we are not spared the trial or heartache when we cry to God with tears, but He does help us through everything we experience in life.

Sometimes God is moved by our tears, as in the case of King Hezekiah. Isaiah was told by God to tell Hezekiah to get his house in order because he was going to die. Hezekiah cried out to God after he heard this news. Isaiah 38:5 says, “Go and tell Hezekiah, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will add fifteen years to your life."

Your tears do not go unnoticed by God. The Psalmist declares in Psalm 56:8,"Thou tellest my wanderings: put Thou my tears into Thy bottle: are they not in Thy book?" In the book of Luke, Jesus was at Simon's house. Jesus had not been given a proper welcome when he had arrived at the house. A woman came in and washed His feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. Luke 7:44 says, "Then He turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give Me any water for My feet, but she wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair." Jesus saw the tears had come from the woman's heart and it pleased Him.

One day, all tears will be done away with. Isaiah 25:8 asserts, “He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of His people shall He take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.” Revelation 7:17 says, "For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; He will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." Revelation 21:4 assures us, "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." What a glorious day that will be!

Whatever the reason is for your tears, be assured that God sees the tears and is with you always. He will never leave you alone in your time of need. He will work everything out according to His divine purpose and great plan for your life.