When was the last time you shed a tear, or many tears? Just this morning, while watching an online church service, I was moved to tears as I prayed for my wife during a healing prayer as offered by the church pastor. As tears rolled down my cheeks, I brushed them away with my sleeve once the prayer ended, never really giving a thought towards the idea that God specifically noticed them. But as I discovered, this is far from the truth. In fact, he sees all of our tears and has each one recorded in his book. And did you know that he also keeps track of our sorrows? Seriously, I’m not joking! Here’s proof!

“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.” (Psalms 56:8 NLT)

What a comforting verse! Just imagine; God is completely and totally aware of every sorrow we experience and every tear that leaks from our eyes. He even collects them in a bottle and writes them down in His ledger! It astounds me that the God we serve loves you and me that much. Because I like to explore other Bible translations of certain verses, I was curious about this verse in Psalms 56. So, for your benefit and mine, I opened the Bible app on my phone and did just that. Here are two other translations of verse 8:

“You have kept count of my tossings; (or wanderings) put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?” (ESV)

“Record my misery; list my tears on your scroll—are they not in your record?” (NIV)

All three translations mean roughly the same thing, but below their surface lies the irrefutable truth that God is acutely aware of everything we go through, good and bad, happy and sad. I take great comfort in knowing that when I am overcome with sorrow, worry, or fear, that Jesus is right there with me and is logging every tear in his records. If we are important enough for God to record our misery and list our tears on a scroll, then how much more can we trust him to never leave us, nor forsake us—that he is always with us in all of our circumstances and through every sad or anxious tear that leaves our bloodshot, weary eyes?

“And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” (Deuteronomy 31:8 NKJV)

I admit that there are a number of things in my life that can easily put tears into my eyes if I dwell on them long enough, and I know that in your life, watery eyes have resulted in your share of shed tears and sorrow. It is wonderful to know that every tear is counted by God and that He is always walking right beside us wherever we go and in whatever we go through. Jesus does not waste our tears. He knows our pain and, better than anyone, understands our suffering.

On a final note, I will leave you with one other short verse from Joshua. It’s an excellent reminder that we are never, ever alone, and our sadness never goes unnoticed by God. We can be strong in Christ and confident in the knowledge that he is our strength and shield, and ever-present help in times of trouble. To my way of thinking, such a truth is worth crying tears of joy over!

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9 ESV)

Paul Smyth