Tears

You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book? Psalm 56:8

Tears.

Every person serving God in ministry will know tears. Tears when you see a child’s face light up when he first understands how much God loves him. Tears when you hear someone ask God to forgive and save her from her sins.

Sobs will ring out when people reject the truth of God’s Word, the overwhelming love of God, and walk angrily away from you.

Tears will fall when you are admonished for your sin, when you confess your sin, and when you know that God has forgiven you of your sin. (I John 1:9)

Tears will fall when you see a fellow servant berated and disrespected for doing God’s will. 

Tears will fall when you hear that others are criticizing your ministry and when the board determines you are no longer needed in your position.

Tears will fall when you hear no words of affirmation or thanks – when you feel discarded.

Tears will fall when you bring all your burdens and sorrows to God and He gives you His peace.

Tears will fall when the one you thought was your friend speaks wrongly of you to others.

Tears will fall when you know His pleasure in watching you continue to serve Him, despite the discouragement from others.

Psalm 56:8 shows that “David was confident that God knew about all his experiences intimately. He knew wherever David had gone, and He had made note of all his painful sufferings. The psalmist asked God to remember his sufferings in a graphic way. He wanted the Lord to store his tears in His bottle so their volume might move Him to act for David.”  (from Dr. Constable’s commentary on Psalms.)

God sees each tear that falls and He treasures what each tear means – joy, sorrow, pain, hurt, heartache, praise, repentance – when it draws us closer to Him. 

Tears do not mean the end of our work, but equip us to keep going in the work God gives to us. He holds us close when we cry out to Him. Remember that “weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:5 (NASB) 

Heavenly Father,
I thank You for each woman who is serving You today. Comfort those who are shedding tears of sorrow, hurt, and pain; encourage those who are discouraged. If we have caused tears by our sinful actions, Lord, convict us. Give us courage to make it right and ask forgiveness. Confirm us in our ministries and in our walks with You. Amen.