St. Andrews Presbyterian Church

“You have noted my lamentation; put my tears into your bottle.” (Ps. 56:8)

Many people think that it is shameful or at least inappropriate to weep in public; even in church.  Not wanting to seem “week” or “needy,” people in deep grief either put on a mask or stay away from church altogether.  When this happens, we unintentionally communicate that church is only for people who “have it all together,” and not for the sorrowing, the needy, or the sinner.  The Psalmist, however, says that God does not spurn us in our pain, and treats our very tears with reverence.  Imagine the bottle of your own tears, held tenderly in God’s hand.  When were they shed, and for what pain?

Prayer: Tender God, help me to befriend my pain and to reverence the pain of others.