God sees our tears!

It’s really tough when you overdose on all that wordplay like I did yesterday and then have to come back with something more sensible the next day. But it is a good day to give thanks unto the Lord and this is the day that He has provided, therefore, we thank Him for it on this Thursday, July 16, 2009. I am well aware that the day is not so good for many. We have a prayer chain email program that originates from our local fellowship of believers and every day I read about the challenges being faced by folks near and far away. This week the mailbox has been full. One came in from someone in our fellowship who works with someone associated with a family member in Shreveport, Louisiana where their Church van overturned on the way to summer camp killing one young man and critically injuring other children. Another was from a former member who knows a lady whose Navy son went in for routine surgery and due to a mishap ended up having both legs amputated and is now fighting for his life. Many came in about family members dealing with cancer, children facing uncertain outcomes in a variety of health challenges, and for those who have lost loved ones.

Reality has a way of slapping us in the face. How many times have we who are believers said to one another, “I don’t know how people who do not know the Lord can handle these challenges”? Good question. They handle it as best they can. They call on their human spirit, their intestinal fortitude, and their courage. Even their ability to do this gives testimony to the magnificent way in which God created His human family. However, we who are believers have access to our Creator through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Jesus knows firsthand what it means to deal with the pain and suffering that comes in our sojourn here on the planet. He stood and cried at the grave of his close personal friend, Lazarus. (John 11) He looked at hurting people and His heart overflowed with compassion. (Mark 1; Matthew 20) Therefore, when we read that our God will never leave us and never forsake us, we can be comforted in His abiding presence. (Romans 8)

The other source is reflected in the union of our hearts as believers where we join together in prayer and in comforting as best we can. The Apostle Paul said in the opening words of his second letter to the Church located in Corinth, Greece that he could comfort others with the comfort he had received from God. Believers sense our need of God and the strength that comes from people of faith during times that confront and challenge us. I read the email about that Church van accident and I did a search and found the website for the First Baptist Church of Shreveport. They had the details concerning the life of the young man who was killed, the six children hospitalized, five of which are recovering, and they had a page set up with young Maggie's photo who is extremely critical as she clings to life. Those children could be mine or my grandchildren or fellow believers’ children, or any children. Tears rolled down my cheek as I looked at that precious child who now lays in intensive care, all broken up. It reminded me of that passage where King Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and cried tears before the Lord. The Prophet returned and told Hezekiah that God had seen his tears. (Isaiah 38) Wow! We serve a God who sees our tears and He loves us as seen in His sending of His Son to die for us! Amen, Hallelujah, praise His Holy Name! ……More later.