Are Tears Biblical?

A good cry can be therapeutic for the human soul. What a release it can be to bring our tears before God. He does care. He does see. He even keeps track of our brokenness, our discouragement's, our disappointment's and our sorrows. He collects our tears in a bottle and records them in His book.

Psalm 56:8 (NLT) "You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book."

We are assured that it is a blessing when our tears flow freely. We are guaranteed there is benefit in that. We are also promised that after we allow our tears to flow freely, joy comes in morning. Not might come, probably will come, sometimes comes... NO, but indeed it will come.

Luke 6: 21b (MSG) "You're blessed when the tears flow freely. Joy comes with the morning."

And we are promised that songs of joy will come after our tears as well. Songs of joy are the harvest of our tears. Another promise that we are guaranteed!

Psalm 126:5 (NIV) "Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy."

Lest you think tears are not Biblical, not of God, disgust Him, mean you're not trusting Him, show lack of faith in Him... do a word search on tears and weeping in a commentary or any version of the Bible. I was shocked at how many times it is mentioned. And if you want a place to start, begin in the Psalms.

David, referred to in the Bible as a man after God's own heart, probably refers to tears and weeping more in his writings than any other one person in scripture. (my personal observation) He writes numerous times of feeling like God had abandoned him, of being in that dark place, of his tears soaking his bed, of asking the "why's" with God.

So, my friend, do not be ashamed of your humanness. Do not be afraid that God will be disgusted with your show of emotion. Do not fear that tears show lack of faith. Quite the contrary. I have found this to be true in my own life.

* Does He always answer my why's? NO.
* Does He always show me the future? NO.
* Does He always change things to the way I hope they will be? NO.

* Does He always come and meet me in my sorrow and disappointment? YES!
* Does He always hold me and let me cry out to Him, even with my questions? YES!
* Does He always assure me He is beside me? YES!
* Does He always remind me that He has not forgotten me, that He loves me beyond comprehension? YES!
* Does He always assure me and remind me of many promises from His Word, that He can be trusted, that He is faithful, that He is sovereign, and that He is God? A resounding YES!

And this promise...

Revelation 7:17 (NLT) "For the Lamb who stands in front of the throne will be their Shepherd. He will lead them to the springs of life-giving water. And God will wipe away all their tears."

Max Lucado writes in "The Applause of Heaven":

"Someday God will wipe away your tears. The same hands that stretched the heavens will touch your cheeks. The same hands that formed the mountains will caress your face. The same hands that curled in agony as the Roman spike cut through will someday cup your face and brush away your tears. Forever. "

God comforts us in our spirit now. He encourages us in our heart.

Someday... the very God of creation, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the very Savior of our souls... will take us into His lap, will look us in the eyes, and will wipe away our tears... with HIS VERY OWN HANDS!!! Every last one of them... FOREVER!