Have Any Tears?
When we make a “faith choice”, we must then wait upon God to change our anxious feelings and align them together with the choice we have made.
“…I do believe; help my unbelief.”
Mark 9:24
Freedom of choice is impossible for non-believers, because they lack God’s Authority and Power to resist temptation.
** “…but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin.” Romans 7:14
*In order for a man to be great he has to reach for something greater than himself!!!!
*When your going through troubles you’re gonna call on someone you have faith in-the One who has the answers-the One that will not let you down-YOU NEED JESUS!!!!
“My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death” (Mt 26:38).
*Often the place of our greatest pain becomes the place of our greatest triumph.
Gethsemane was the place of Jesus’ greatest trial. Three times He asked the Father to let this trial pass. It was not to be.
The Father sent His Son to the cross to pay a debt owed by humanity.
Jesus was faced with His own temptation to quit, to not fulfill His destiny, to run from his assignment. It was a personal battle to persevere. Sometimes we face situations that cry out “Quit! I cannot endure anymore!”
We want to throw in our towel of what little faith we have left. We conclude that this faith thing simply does not work.
“Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him”(Lk 22:43). After Jesus asked the Father if this cup could pass, an angel was sent to Him to comfort Jesus.
* The Father’s answer to Jesus’ prayer was “No.”
** But, His compassion to His Son came in the form of an angel.
Some temptations seem they are more than we can bare. However, God tells us:
*”No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it”(1 Cor 10:13).
*If we persevere we often realize later the place of our greatest battle becomes the place of our greatest victory!!!!!
*It would be here, on the Mount of Olives, near the Garden Gethsemane where Jesus ascended and would return triumphantly, not as a sorrowful soul, but a triumphant Savior.
* The battle He won in Gethsemane would result in the triumphant entry to be Lord of the universe.
God will use your greatest failure or greatest sorrow to be a powerful force in your life and the lives of others.
*Your Valley of Baca (weeping) becomes springs for you and others. You will go from strength to strength (Ps 84:6).
* It is in the dying that the new springs are allowed to come forth and a new strength emerges.
If you find yourself in your Garden of Gethsemane:
* Lay yourself at the feet of the only one who can sustain you.
*Entrust yourself to your Heavenly Father.
*Let Him determine your fate.
** It will ultimately become a place of victory!!!
You are only as SUCCESSFUL with God as you are SURRENDERED to God (Matt 26:38-39).
Psalm 56:8 You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.
“collected all my tears”
*That is a cry of a desperate soul(David’s here), someone who knows what it is to be a wanderer, a fugitive, an exile.
*Someone who knows what it is to shed many, many tears.
**Well, even in his tears and in his exile, he finds comfort.
He realizes:
* That the eye of God is upon him,
* That God is taking note of everything that he goes through,
*That a record is being kept in God’s book of all that he suffers for righteousness’ sake.
*And he even says, “God put my tears in Thy bottle.”
Why would you want your tears stored up with God?
*You see, one day those tears are going to look very different to you than the way you see them now.
* Now you see them as suffering, now you see them as a cause for wondering, What’s gone wrong?
* But, you see, in this life we only see the reverse side of the tapestry. We see colors that don’t seem to blend and patterns that don’t make much sense. **But, remember, in eternity we’ll see the tapestry the right way up and things that made no sense and caused us to wonder if God really knew what He was doing will work out into a most Beautiful pattern that will give us joy throughout eternity.
So, remember, when you are suffering for righteousness’ sake and maybe shedding bitter tears, don’t turn away from God, don’t give up hope, just do as the psalmist did. Cry out to God, “Put my tears in Thy bottle.”
*Let God have the final say, not your hurt, or your offense. Friend refuse to go to the grave with your hurt or feelings of rejection. Christ died for all your mistakes and the sins of your friends.
* Let God arise in your heart today, Let it go, and you and I will be better servants for the master’s use.
* The best self-preservation is to commit ourselves to God’s keeping.
Bend down, OLORD, and hear my prayer; answer me, for I need your help. Protect me, for I am devoted to you. Save me, for I serve you and trust you. You are my God. Be merciful to me, OLord, for I am calling on you constantly. Give me happiness, OLord, for I give myself to you. OLord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help. Listen closely to my prayer, OLORD; hear my urgent cry. I will call to you whenever I’m in trouble, and you will answer me.
Amen. (Psalms 86:1-7)