Tears

TEARS

By Carolyn Dale Newell

You number my wanderings; put my tears in Your bottle;

Are they not in your book?

Ps. 56:8 NKJV

This verse demonstrates how intensely God cares about us. He knows about every wandering and every tear.  If God had a bottle with our tears in it, what would we see in that bottle?

Would we see the tears shed over sin and failure? How many tears would there be for the lost?  How many of those tears were shed during prayer? During praise? During testimony?

We would see tears shed during great struggles and afflictions. We would remember the way God poured His strength into us and brought us through difficult times. There would be tears marking the seasons of growth in grace and knowledge.  There would be only a few tears when we felt the peace that is beyond understanding.  Would we see the moments the tears stopped when we realized we should count it all joy?

There would be silly tears when we cried over a movie or a book. There would be the tears shed during the days of great grief and sorrow.  We would remember how God comforted us during those times, and He carried us through them.

There would be tears of loneliness and rejection, but we would never find the tears shed when God abandoned us, because He never did. He has never left us nor forsaken us, and He never will.  We would never find tears due to a need, because God has always supplied all our needs according to His riches. We would see tears followed by joy when we came through storms, and we looked back to see the grace that was sufficient.

As we look back on our tears, we have seen they have served a purpose. Tears may be good for the eyes, but they are good for the soul also.

Lord, it is comforting to know the depths of your tender-loving care for Your children. There have been many tears, but the joy is greater. May I exhibit Your joy to others. Amen.

DIG DEEPER

Read Psalm 56:8-13.

HIKING THE TRAIL

What has the Holy Spirit brought to your thoughts as you read this devotion? Respond obediently.

Copyright 2013 Carolyn Dale Newell

You may also like “Weeping to Joy” http://www.encouragementcafe.com/blog/post/weeping-to-joy

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