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Tears in a Bottle from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo.

Hezekiah, the king of Israel, became deathly ill from a boil, and the prophet Isaiah came to see him. He didn't bring good news. When Isaiah left, Hezekiah prayed and wept bitterly. The Lord spoke to Isaiah before he got out of the courtyard.

(2 Kings 20:4–5 NKJV)  And it happened, before Isaiah had gone out into the middle court, that the word of the LORD came to him, saying, "Return and tell Hezekiah the leader of My people, 'Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father: "I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will heal you."

The Lord sees our tears. There was an Egyptian custom at funerals to give the mourners a cloth or sponge to wipe their tears. At the end of the funeral, the fabric was wrung out into a bottle. Then the mourner's tears were placed in the tomb with them. David probably referred to this in Psalm 56:8 and also tells us that they are recorded in a book, the book of tears.

(Psalm 56:8 NKJV) ...Put my tears into Your bottle; Are they not in Your book?

There is a record of our tears. When you are hurt beyond words, it's ok to cry. Go into your room, shut the door, and pour your heart out to God. Let the tears fall and get it all out. The Lord encourages it, but don't let self-pity slip in the door, as it is hard to get back out of the house. The Lord will never turn away from the sincere and broken-hearted.

(Psalm 34:18 NKJV)  The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.

The Lord Jesus Christ often prayed until He was in tears. It's ok to be real and pour out the pain, for he understands. The writer of Hebrews said this of Jesus:

(Hebrews 5:7 NKJV)  who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear

The prophet Malachi mentioned that God has a book of remembrance. There are several books like this mentioned in Scripture, including the Book of Life. Malachi had just finished grilling the people about not tithing and complaining. Then he wrote this:

(Malachi 3:16 NKJV)  Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, And the LORD listened and heard them; So a book of remembrance was written before Him For those who fear the LORD And who meditate on His name.

Their deeds were recorded in a book. Later, in the book of Acts, we can see the records being used. A Roman centurion named Cornelius, who was a gentile, came up for "remembrance."

(Acts 10:1–4 NKJV)  There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, "Cornelius!" And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, "What is it, lord?" So he said to him, "Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God."

Cornelius's prayers and giving had come to God's attention. What was his reward? His whole household was saved and baptized in the Holy Spirit. Your prayers, your giving, and your tears are all recorded. Nothing is lost.

(Revelation 20:12 NKJV)  And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.

For now, it's ok to weep. There is certainly enough pain in the world, and we don't always get to understand why bad things happen to good people. Yet, we need to remember that this Earth is temporary and not our eternal home. Our life is fleeting, for we are just dust in the wind. Yet one day, that will change, and the Lord will wipe away our tears.

(Isaiah 25:8 NKJV)  He will swallow up death forever, And the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces; The rebuke of His people He will take away from all the earth; For the LORD has spoken.

We all look forward to the day when there will be no more pain, no sickness, sorrow, or death. No more fears. No more tears.

(Revelation 21:3–4 NKJV)  And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."

You can pray this with me if you like:

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You for hearing my prayers and seeing my tears. My life is Yours, Lord. Such as I have, I give to You. Please send me the Comforter today, and cover me with Your presence. Help me be ready when my time comes. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!