No Tear Wasted – Joni and Friends

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: … a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.”

Ecclesiastes 3:1,4

An old devotional book movingly says, “How can God dry your tears in the next world if you have not wept in this one?” The image of God tenderly wiping away your tears describes a loving and utterly compassionate moment in heaven between you and your Savior. Your earthly sorrows have a profound purpose in eternity: they are setting the stage for God to engage himself wholly and completely in your eternal comfort. No wonder David prayed in Psalm 56:8 (KJV) for God to “put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?”

God will atone for every single one of your tears. First, the reason behind your suffering will be made plain as God reveals something so glorious in His purpose that it will completely suffice for all your hurt. Next, as God dries your tears, it will showcase the intimate, sweet affection of God toward you personally–much more so than if you never cried!

I’m not glorifying weeping, but I’m glorifying the God whose purpose will be exalted, and whose tenderhearted compassion will be glorified through your weeping. Soren Kierkegaard said, “In the language of eternity, the suffering that helped you to the highest, is certainly not useless. It is useless and unused only if you do not allow yourself to be helped by it to the highest.”[1]

When time comes for weeping, comfort yourself with these assurances from God’s Word. No tear will be wasted. Share today’s thoughts with a friend who is grieving or hurting. And don’t forget… bring Kleenex.

Lord, I am amazed that You have recorded in detail every time I’ve cried. Help me not to hide my tears. Help me also not to waste my sorrows, remembering they are aiding me for all of eternity.

[1] Soren Kierkegaard, Upbuilding Discourses in Various Spirits (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1847), p. 104.

Blessings,

Joni and Friends