Bitter Tears

 

Bitter Tears

 

Job 1:6-12

6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. 7 And the Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?” So Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.” 8 Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?” 9 So Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? 10 Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!” 12 And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.

Sometimes, our suffering is a test sent by God. Although, to many that doesn’t sound fair nor make any sense. Because we only see God as good and powerful, and He lives above us in heaven. That is true, but there are so many different facets, characteristics, and ways that God exhibits Himself. We are finite in our nature and souls. But nonetheless, He is Omnipotent, Omniscient, and Omnipresent.

As we mature in the Word of the Lord through our studying and praying time, we will learn new things about God. He loves us eternally because His Word tells us, and He reveals it through our answered prayers. He feeds us with natural and spiritual food and clothes us with His righteousness. He sends us new mercies daily. And yet, we are bent when life gets hard, and the storms come. These times are ordained to move us close to Him. Job 16:17-22 Although no violence is in my hands, And my prayer is pure. 18 “O earth, do not cover my blood, And let my cry have no resting place! 19 Surely even now my witness is in heaven, And my evidence is on high. 20 My friends scorn me; My eyes pour out tears to God. 21 Oh, that one might plead for a man with God, As a man pleads for his neighbor! 22 For when a few years are finished, I shall go the way of no return.

When our suffering is long it reveals in us how much do we trust and love God. No, it does not feel good to our minds and bodies. Nobody volunteers to go through pain and suffering to prove their love to someone, unless it is for a good cause. Even so, if many do volunteer, they want to know what they are going to gain and how long is the suffering and what kind of suffering? This requires a love that is rare, but hard to find on the earth. Because it will open one’s soul and reveal everything that’s hidden within them. The question is who can bear this kind of weight and live without gain?

This is the life that Christ exhibits to us. He suffered when His hands and feet were nailed to the cross. He endured excruciating pain and suffering to pay the penalty for our sins and the sins of the world. This love is divine and sent from above to fulfill God’s Word. John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

He suffered hunger when He fasted forty days, endured the cold, loneliness, grief, and pain. Primarily, He experienced everything that we feel as humans. He was fully man and fully divine, but He humbled Himself as the Son of God, so that the Father may be glorified. Christ did everything that was prophesied and written in the scriptures in the Old and New Testament. This plan was put into time by God to save His people from eternal damnation for our sins. The mysteries of what was hidden from the ages and down through time is revealed in our hearts through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. 1 Colossians 1:19-20 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. 1 Colossians 1:24-26 I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, 26 the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. 

The Lord tells us about suffering will come into our lives. We will be persecuted for righteousness. Our faith is being tested through the things we suffer. We will develop the patience to endure to the end and cry out to the Lord in times when life hurts us the most. He’s listening to us and knows the reason to why we’re having these trials and tribulations. He gives us the life that He sees fit to keep us in His will. But none of this seems to matter that much because the fire burns when it pierces our souls. There is purpose in the struggles, we must cling to God’s Word. James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

The tears that we cry are purging our souls to sit in that secret place and pray to God. He is keeping watch and recording our deeds and thoughts. The bitterness that we held inside, let downs, disappointments, hurt, pain, and loss will be restored to us. The hard times will not last always. This is a part of the process to seeking the kingdom of God. We are learning to come to Jesus through our pain and suffering. Those of us who are walking in the Spirit realize this is spiritual. There is something greater coming if we hold on to our faith. Psalm 30:5 For His anger is but for a moment,
His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.

The Lord is forming an intimate relationship within us. The Holy Spirit is within us protecting us from danger seen and unseen. We must continue to sing praises to His name. Our praise and prayers are not forgotten, the Lord is keeping watch over our words. There is a work that’s being done on the inside of us that only He sees. It will be for His glory and good pleasure.

Remember, we must cry holy to the Lamb of God, who was slain for our sins. A great price was paid for our transgressions. We are guilty for what we’ve done against God’s law, but the blood of Christ sanctified, justified, and have forgiven us. Therefore, our faith must remain active in how we live our lives. These things that come to test us are first decided by the Father before He allows it to touch our lives. His scriptures tell us that He allowed Satan to cause pain and hurt Job, but He forbade that he couldn’t kill him.

Inconclusion, Our Savior sees everything in secret and will reward those who wait on the Lord. Christ is risen. We must hold on as we know there will be glory after this for all our tears according to scripture. Psalm 126:3-6 The Lord has done great things for us, And we are glad. 4 Bring back our captivity, O Lord, As the streams in the South. 5 Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy. 6 He who continually goes forth weeping, Bearing seed for sowing, Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, Bringing his sheaves with him.

  

Bitter Tears

 

When life hurts the most

There’s only one avenue

Turn to Jesus in prayer

Today is all that you have

Meditate if you will on courage

It’s possible that joy is coming

You will not always get your way

Sometimes the bitter comes first

As you go through each test

Remember as the sun rises

This too shall pass

Your fruit will become sweeter

Casting away yesterday’s sorrow

As you reflect and give God the praise

For God keeps all His promises

ã2004 “Naima’s Inspirational Melodies”