Bottled Tears

“Thou tellest my wanderings: put Thou my tears into Thy bottle; are they not in Thy book?” (Psalm 56:8)

King David was often a man on the run, seeking refuge from those who meant him harm: the enemy, family members, his subjects. He was familiar with the terrors of war, heartbreak, and exhaustion. But when fear and life’s unfairness confronted him, David learned to turn to God, the trustworthy One (v. 3–4). He was confident the Ever-present, All-seeing God had not missed anything happening.

Does the fact that David’s experiences brought him to tears make him a “sissy?” Hardly. This “man’s man” was tough yet had a tender heart, one that chased hard after God. He had confidence his Maker recorded every mistreatment, his anguish and heartache, and each tear that pooled in his eyes and those that fell. David was confident God did not overlook nor ignore his tears, bottled or not. He knew his God would one day avenge him.

Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is acquainted with the pain of life’s struggles, feelings of abandonment, and unfairness. He sees and remembers each tear; they were “bottled.” He will avenge (Romans 12:19). But until the day God banishes evil and makes all things right (Revelation 21:1–5), we too must learn to find solace in Him, our hiding place.