AL: Joni, one of the most comforting, the most reassuring Scriptures I know... is in Psalm 56, the 8th verse. For any of us who has experienced grief, we’re consoled with the words... "Record my lament; list my tears on your scroll ‑‑ are they not on your record?"
JONI: Wow! I’m with you, Al. It is so heartwarming to think that God numbers our tears... that He keeps track of all the times we’ve cried.
AL: And we all have those times, don’t we?
JONI: Sure do. That first fight with your husband... or that first big argument with your daughter; the job interview that goes sour; the time your neighbor down the street told you to “quit talking about religion.” The time you cried when your father died or your spouse left you. You may have thought no one noticed your red eyes, friend.
AL: But Joni, sometimes we don’t want to broadcast our hurt.
JONI: That’s true, but you know God sees. What’s more, God has every intention of rewarding your endurance through the pain. Why else would he meticulously chronicle every single one of your tears? I mean, why else would He take the time to make a list of our lament? It means that every tear you've cried is one day going to be redeemed; it’s going to be explained.
AL: That is incredibly wonderful…
JONI: It is, Al, because God is going to give us indescribable glory all of our grief. Not with a general wave of the hand, but in a considered and a specific way. Each tear has been listed – that means each is going to be recompensed. We know how valuable our tears are in God's sight ‑‑ when the woman anointed Jesus with the valuable perfume, it was her tears with which she washed His feet that moved him most powerfully (Luke 7:44). The worth of our weeping is underscored again in Revelation 21:4 where it says, "God will wipe every tear." It won't be the duty of angels or of the heavenly host, no God's responsibility will be to wipe away our tears. I’ve cried a few times over not having use of my hands (though nowhere near like I used to).
AL: I’m sure that’s true, Joni…
JONI: But I think it’s ironic, Al, that on the day in heaven, when I finally get back use of my hands so that I can dry my own tears... I won’t have to because God is going to do it for me.
So friend listening, make a list of the times you’ve cried maybe from hurt, disappointment, maybe from physical pain. How might God recompense you? Did you cry tears in the midst of praise or prayer? Well, these tears have special power with God. So take a moment today to thank Him for numbering your tears and recording in His book the pain you have experienced, because nothing…
AL: …not even your crying…
JONI: …is going to be wasted. Bless God for that.
Used by permission of
JONI AND FRIENDS
P.O. Box 3333
Agoura Hills, CA 93176
© Joni and Friends