Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. Psalm 126:5

Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. Psalm 126:5

       

 I underestimated my strength.  I thought I was tough.  I thought I could handle the pain of having to leave a child behind.  I am not tough.  The only strength I have is in the form of a pink and purple book that starts with Genesis and ends with Revelation.  This book is filled with tears and joy.  How often I am thankful for men of God like David who was just raw enough to pour out his emotions to God regardless of how damaged he was, how much sin he was in, how sick and hopeless he was.  Most of the time he was in the pit; however there are lots of times of rejoicing in his journey with God. He continues to show me to push forward, to trust and to find joy in Him and not the circumstances.  I am so thankful for sermons that have been preached that God brings to mind when I seem to not be able to stand.  I remember a sermon our former preacher preached one Sunday on Jonah.  When Jonah was in the belly of the whale he cried out to God, “In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. From the depths of the grave I called for help, and you listened to my cry..” Jonah 2:2 What followed next was an honest raw plea from Jonah to the Lord.  Jonah poured out emotions that were honest, that were hard to hear, that were eye opening, and that were changing him as they left his mouth.  I remember our preacher telling us God can handle our belly of the whale cries for help.  He can handle our honest emotions,we just have to get real with Him.  Well the last few days have been very real and raw between me and God.  I have dealt with anger at Him for this taking so long, I have dealt with hurt and confusion, I have dealt with questions I wanted answers to (that He still didn’t provide) and I have just gotten real honest.  And in that honesty something beautiful has come.  Our women’s bible study class had a discussion on whether or not we are friends with God.  In my honest rants with Him, I realized He is my friend.  We are friends, because He is the only person who knows me inside and out.  He is the only person that I can be completely honest with.  He is the only person that has the ability to heal my wounds and set me free.  He is the only person that can release me from sin and death and He is the only person who can give me pure joy when nothing else makes sense.  That’s what friends do right?  They share everything with each other.  They have a relationship.  They talk about their fears, their hurts and disappointments and their joys.  They cry together and they rejoice together.  There have certainly been certain points in this journey where I have rejoiced on the mountain top and cried in the belly of the whale.  God has been there for every step.  As that pastor’s wife reminded me yesterday that God holds my tears in a golden bowl, I was strengthened to remember just what kind of God I serve.  A God who doesn’t forget, who sees the big picture, and who will continue to hold my tears until rejoicing comes, and we can reap with songs of joy! 

Have you been adopted by God’s love, into a relationship with Him?  Have you entered in salvation through His Son Jesus? 

The Bible tells us that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).  Because of sin, we are separated from God and are spiritually dead.  Because God loves us, He has provided a way for us to have a personal love relationship with Him.  John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” God sent His Son, Jesus, who lived a perfect life, to die on the cross as payment for our sin.

 By accepting the gift of Jesus and His death for us on the cross, we can have a personal relationship with God, and be empowered by Him.  We can have a love relationship with Him that is personal and permanent and real.  Even death cannot sever it!

If you are ready to make this choice, as an affirmation of your belief, you may wish to pray a prayer like this one: Dear God, I understand I am a sinner, but I believe Jesus died for my sins, and I now accept His gift of eternal life. Thank You for forgiving my sins.  Thank You for my new life.  From this day, I choose to follow You and Your will for my life.

If you have made this decision, God has placed His Spirit in you and you are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).  You have been adopted into God’s eternal family.