“I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will heal you.”
2 Kings 20:5a NKJV
For days, I carried the guilt of my stress. I failed God when I allowed worry to slip in the cracks. I asked God to move the mountain, but I couldn’t walk away. Each day, a new form of trouble landed on my plate. I could do absolutely nothing to change my situation. I could only be dictated to by others who were the powers that be. I pushed in prayer (Pray Until Something Happens). My faith waned as I grew weary.
Waiting without trusting is wrestling. And that was what I had done. I wrestled. I write about it. I preach it. I believe it, but I had been beaten down by the enemy and I couldn’t walk in it.
Now I bore the reproach. The storm had passed, and I saw the purpose for it. What looks like Satan’s roadblock is often God’s detour. The entire ordeal was intended to help me, not hurt me.
This morning, I read Scriptures about the sinfulness of worry. I hung my head, ashamed. Then I heard a song. I recognized the Scriptures tucked away in the lyrics, and I realized God doesn’t despise my tears. On the contrary, He draws near the brokenhearted and as our Great Physician, He binds up our wounds) Ps. 147:3).
Jesus said,
“Blessed are you who weep now,
For you shalllaugh.”
(Luke 6:21)
The tears we cry on earth prepare us for a greater glory in heaven (2 Cor. 4:17). Whether they are tears of grief, tears of pain, tears of despair, or tears of depression.
Our focal verse comes from the story of King Hezekiah. The prophet Isaiah had just told the king to get his things in order. The word from the Lord was that he was dying. When a doctor gives you this news, hope still exists with God, but when the word comes directly from God, you lose all hope. King Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall. Was he ashamed to show weakness? Did he not want Isiah to witness his sobs as he prayed? Isaiah left the king’s bedside, but before he reached the middle court, God spoke to him concerning Hezekiah. The Lord said,
“I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears; surely I will heal you.”(2 Kings 20:5a)
Hezekiah’s life was extended by fifteen years. We might not receive our healing. We won’t receive our loved one back in our arms. Whether God answers our prayers according to our wishes isn’t the point. The important part of this verse is that God saw Hezekiah’s tears, and He was moved by them.
Sweet friend, I don’t know what grieves your soul today. I don’t know the source of your sorrow. I don’t know the magnitude of your turmoil. But I do know that God treasures those tears. He writes them in His book and keeps them in His bottle. He has told us that what we sow in tears, we will reap in joy. He has reminded us that our weeping is temporary and that joy comes in the morning.
Maybe tomorrow you will return to the battle, but today, don’t regret your tears. They are precious in the sight of God.
Heavenly Father, thank You for not rebuking me when I grow tired and become fainthearted. Thank You for binding up my wounds and the comfort You give me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
DIG DEEPER
Read 2 Kings 20:1-7
HIKING THE TRAIL
When you begin to cry, to stress, to mourn, and grieve, begin to pray. If you cannot find the words, pray through some Scriptures, especially the Psalms.
Copyright 2019 Carolyn Dale Newell.
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Originally posted on September 2, 2020 @ 5:57 pm