Inspire

There is a lot of saltwater on earth. I’m not referring to the world’s oceans.

I’m talking about the countless tears that are shed each day by the world’s people.  Chances are you have shed a few this week already.  Or know someone that has.  Be it in sadness, grief, mourning, pain, consternation, frustration, terror or some other tribulation.

In my Sunday message to the St Paul congregation I unpacked God’s remarkable promise that eventually there will be no more tears because God will wipe them away.  This really is good news.  It’s contained in the Bible’s last book, Revelation.  God’s wiping away of our tears is shorthand for saying that the tribulations of aggression, war, famine, sickness and death will have been banished, along with the tears that go with them.  All those people who have been ‘washed’ in Jesus’ blood – picture language for having believed in Jesus and daily turned back to his way of doing things and the forgiveness he offers – will experience God’s great forever tear-free existence. 

God tells us this to encourage us when tribulations cause tears.  I appreciate it doesn’t make suffering disappear.  But it is good news.  And in the mess that surrounds us, I’d rather have this tear free vision and great tear wiping by Jesus than not!

Prayer: Thank you Lord Jesus for your promise that you are there in my tears now and eventually they will be no more. Help all with tears to trust you and look to that tearless time you have made possible. In your name I pray. Amen.

Submitted by Pastor Matthew Bishop