God Understands Our Tears!

From the heart of Dr. Robert L. Taylor, Th.D., Bible Teacher & Expositor. Growing up, I was often told, Robert, “men don’t cry!” I guess somebody forgot to inform God about this! While being confined in the presence of his enemies, David wrote, “You have taken account of my miseries; Put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your book? (Psalm 56:8). David was going through a difficult time. He begins this unhappy and sorrowful psalm with the words “Be gracious to me, God, for a man has trampled upon me; Fighting all day long he oppresses me” (Psalm 56:1). The Philistines had captured David in Gath—David was, at the time he wrote this psalm, a prisoner of war, and he had reason to cry and be sorrowful. What does this poetic language mean? The idea behind the keeping of “tears in a bottle” is remembrance. David is expressing a deep trust in God that He (God) will remember his sorrow and tears and will not forget about him. God may not have an actual bottle where our tears are kept or a literal book where sorrows are recorded, but He nonetheless remembers all the things that happen in our lives, including the suffering endured for His sake. The fact that God remembers us and our sufferings should be very comforting. Scriptures like Psalm 56:8 describe God as collecting and remembering tears, emphasizing His compassion and awareness of human suffering. This idea provides comfort and reassurance, suggesting that God is present with and understands our emotions, even when we cry. This verse suggests that God is not only aware of our tears but also keeps a record of them, emphasizing His care and attention to detail. The idea that God collects and remembers tears can bring comfort and hope to those who are suffering. It suggests that even in times of great sadness or pain, God is present and cares about our well-being. The implication is that tears are a language that God understands, and a way for humans to express their emotions and needs when words fail. This perspective further emphasizes God's connection to human experience and His ability to empathize with our suffering. In essence, the idea that God understands our tears is a source of comfort, hope, and reassurance for many, providing a sense of being seen, heard, known, and cared for by the almighty God. Be encouraged!