You number and record my wanderings; put my tears into Your bottle–are they not in Your book? Psalm 56:8
That is a cry of a desperate soul, someone who knows what it is to be a wanderer, a fugitive, an exile. Someone who knows what it is to shed many, many tears.
Well, even in his tears and in his exile, he finds comfort. He realizes that the eye of God is upon him, that God is taking note of everything that he goes through, that a record is being kept in God’s book of all that he suffers for righteousness’ sake.
And he says, “God put my tears in thy bottle.” Why would you want your tears stored up with God?
You see, one day those tears are going to look very different to you than the way you see them now.
Now you see them as suffering, now you see them as a cause for wondering, What’s gone wrong. But, you see, in this life we only see the reverse side of the tapestry. We see colors that don’t seem blend and patterns that don’t make much sense.
But, remember, in eternity we’ll see the tapestry the right way up and things that made no sense and caused us to wonder if God really knew what He was doing will work out into a most beautiful pattern that will give us joy throughout eternity.
So, remember, when you are suffering for righteousness’ sake and maybe shedding bitter tears, don’t turn away from God, don’t give up hope, just do as the psalmist did. Cry out to God, “Put my tears in Thy bottle.”-
Derek Prince
“And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes:…” Revelation 21
