Scripture for the Day Dec 12th 2020: Flowing Tears

Everyone experiences the pain of losing someone they love regardless of their spiritual views. It is hard for secular people who believe that death is the last destination. They have no hope and accept the finality of the end of earthly life. Gone forever. But it is even harder for the Christian to see someone go who hasn't given their heart to Jesus. When I lost the love of my life, Keely Nikaye in February 2019, I had one consolation: Keely had accepted Jesus in the months leading up to her sleep. I know we will meet again, and this assurance helps me to deal with my grievous loss. I cried for months, and even today, missing her brings tears to my eyes. But tears are wholesome; they heal.

One of Keely's characteristics was her crying. She'd cry about funny things, sad things, when she was frightened, and when she was joyful. God had a lot of bottling up to do for Keely. I remember her crying fondly.

Psalms 56:8
“Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?”

One book that has helped me deal with my loss and my endless tears that year, even today, is Steve Quayle's book Tears - An Ocean of Emotion. If you are coping with loss, this book is a true helper for both the believer and the unbeliever. Although it is based on Scripture, it is not a religious text. Tears - An Ocean of Emotion explores the healing properties and the variety of functions tears have. Don't get me wrong, it won't stop the crying, but it makes it easier. If you know someone who experienced loss, point them to this book. It will help them deal with their pain. 

The unbeliever falsely claims that the Bible is unscientific. But how can the creator of all there is not be scientific? Even the tears cry out to Science: Here I am, and scientists agree:

Tears Kill Microbes

Sir Alexander Fleming, the English scientist, has proved that human tears are efficient microbe-killers. One teaspoonful of tears would give enough antiseptic power to purify one hundred gallons of water. Many a distinguished physician has said it is his opinion that all of us should cry occasionally for our health’s sake.

 Tan, P. L. (1996). Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times (p. 1431). Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc.

I am giving her back to you, LORD

Through the years I have noticed that the ones who have the hardest time handling bereavement are those who are unwilling to accept that a loved one has died. When a person accepts the fact of death, he or she is able to face the future as it will be.
When Frances went to be with the Lord, people remarked how well I handled it. My answer was that when I knew she was terminally ill, I said to the Lord, “Fifty-seven and a half years ago you gave her to me. Now I am giving her back to you. Do with her as you will.” I found peace in the will of God. This did not mean that I did not want to keep her. Oh no! But if keeping her meant ever-growing pain for her in order to satisfy my own selfish desires, no! I loved her too much for that.

Grief is natural. I know, for I have grieved—and continue to do so. But my grief is for myself. I know Frances is far better off with the Lord, but I am left behind and lonely.

  Hobbs, H. H. (1990). My favorite illustrations (p. 76). Nashville, TN: Broadman Press.

My Personal Pentecost

There are also tears of repentance. When the LORD chose me, on Feb 19th, 2011, I cried for three days: tears of repentance. I remembered my wickedness, the wrongs I had done, and my soul cried out to God: Deliver me from evil, LORD. He did. February 19, 2011, was the 50th day of the year 2011, my personal Pentecost.

Pentecost (חג שׁבעת, chg shb't, “weeks”; πεντηκοστή, pentēkostē, “fiftieth”). In the Hebrew Bible, Pentecost is an annual harvest festival that occurs seven weeks after Passover. It became an important Christian holiday after God poured out the Holy Spirit upon the Jerusalem church on the first Pentecost after Christ’s resurrection.
  Roberts, R. D. (2016). Pentecost. In J. D. Barry, D. Bomar, D. R. Brown, R. Klippenstein, D. Mangum, C. Sinclair Wolcott, … W. Widder (Eds.), The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

Let's bow our hearts and pray: 

God, on the day you Saved me You poured out the Holy Spirit on me. Thank you, LORD.
Today, we also cry and pray for the souls that are (still) lost. LORD, we pray for the armies of Millennials who choose to wear blinders. We mourn for family members who refuse to accept You, Lord Jesus. We cry and pray that they, too, shall be saved in the Knowledge of Christ Jesus. We comfort those who have lost loved ones with our silent compassion and our tears.

Revelation 7:17
“For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” 

#Devotional #Scripture4TheDay #tears #loss #heaven #hell