God Will Wipe away Our Tears

God Himself will be with them and be their God, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.

Revelation 21: 3–4

What do you call a drop of water that contains mucin, lipids, lysozyme, lactoferrin, immunoglobulins, glucose, urea, sodium and potassium? It’s a tear. All land mammals (except goats and rabbits) produce tears, but only humans do so as part of the emotional responses to life. For humans, tears are often sparkling drops of emotion from the depths of our hearts. In the ancient world, certain bottles were called ‘tear catchers’. They were made from brown glass and were used in ancient Persia during funerals to collect the tears of mourners. In Rome, mourners filled small bottles with tears and placed them in the tombs as symbols of respect for the deceased”.

‘Turning Point’ August 2020, by David Jeremiah

There is nothing wrong with tears, for Jesus wept, and He was perfect in every way.
He wept over Jerusalem (Luke 19: 41).
He wept over the death of his friend Lazarus. (John 11: 35).
Several books in the Old Testament give accounts of people shedding tears –
asking for God’s forgiveness, and asking Him for help in distress.
In Psalm 56, David was running from King Saul when he was captured by the Philistines; he was appealing to God for help.

Lord, you see my every tear as though it were filling a bottle in your loving heart.

On the other hand, Genesis chapters 45 and 46 provide a graphic account of Joseph and the reunion with his brothers.
Joseph cried tears of forgiveness and joy at being reunited with his brothers.
He was his father’s favourite son and would be reunited with his father who was alive.
Also, he would be able to save his family from starvation.
The brothers would have shed tears of relief
because they had sold him into slavery and did not know what had happened to him.
Also, because of his position in Egypt he would provide food for his starving family

Most of our earthly tears come from sorrow, grief loneliness and heartache; there will be no such experiences in heaven.

No more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.

Revelation 21: 4

The corona virus pandemic has resulted in thousands of deaths in the UK
and across the world hundreds of thousands have died.
This year has been extremely sorrowful as families and friends mourn
the loss of loved ones and in many instances loss of livelihoods.

Recently, we have seen on our television screens the devastation in Beirut as a result of the massive chemical explosion.
The outpouring of grief for loved ones who were killed; and anger at the government for its carelessness has been palpable.
The area is like a war zone, the infrastructure had been totally destroyed – housing, medical services, food.
It will take years for Lebanon to recover from this catastrophe.
It was a country which had already suffered financially, economically and politically.
The international community is rallying to provide immediate emergency help and long-term support.

Let us pray:

Father, we know that prayers are powerful and where two or three gather to pray you are with us.
This morning we pray for the people of Lebanon and the mammoth task which they face
to rebuild their country; and themselves from their trauma.
Please let them feel your presence comforting, and providing for them
through the generosity of the international community.

Almighty God, we pray for people in our country grieving over loved ones who have died as a result of the virus.
The tears are flowing and life is filled with grief. We know that you also wept over those about whom you cared.
We know that no tear is ever unnoticed by you as you comfort and walk beside us.
Father God, our hope rests in you, please give us strength and courage to face another day.

Amen

God’s eye is on those who respect him, the ones who are looking for his love. He’s ready to come to their rescue in bad times. In lean times he keeps body and soul together.

Psalm 33: 18–19 The Message Study Bible by Eugene Peterson

Glynne Gordon-Carter