Telling Tears - Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus. The brothers and sisters in Christ wept with Paul as they part ways with one another. There was much weeping among them. They embraced Paul and kissed him, grieving ... that they would not see him again." Tears can be telling, and the Bible tells us about those tears. Weeping is a window into our deepest feelings. The weeping of these brothers and sisters in Christ gives us permission to do the same. If you’re feeling loss, grief, pain, or relief, let yourself weep. As you pray, if you need to, weep - and pray for yourself and all those who weep. Sit with someone in their grief, even if you don’t know what to say. Let them weep and weep with them

Read: Acts 20:17-38

"There was much weeping among them all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, grieving especially because of what he had said, that they would not see him again." - (Acts 20:37-38 NRSV)

Tears can be telling, and the Bible tells us about those tears. 

Esau wept when he lost his birthright. 

Hannah wept at the thought of her barrenness. 

Joseph wept with his brothers who had betrayed him.

David wept when he received word of Absalom’s death. 

Jeremiah wept over the mountains of Judah. 

Amos wept over Israel’s disobedience. 

Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus.

And here in our passage today, the brothers and sisters in Christ in Ephesus wept with Paul as they part ways with one another.

Weeping is a window into our deepest feelings. 

A few years ago I preached at the memorial service of the Emeritus President of Words of Hope, Dr. William C. Brownson. 

Bill discipled me in the Christian faith when I was converted in 1970. 

He was my professor of preaching at Western Theological Seminary, and he preached at my installation as the pastor of Fellowship Reformed Church. 

He had encouraged me, prayed with me, counseled me. 

When I stood in the pulpit that day, looking into the pained eyes of his two surviving sons and their families, I began to weep. 

Bill’s death was a deep loss.

Here in our passage, the weeping of these brothers and sisters in Christ gives us permission to do the same. 

If you’re feeling loss, grief, pain, or relief, let yourself weep. — Tim Brown, from the series The Limitless Gospel

Thought to ponder: 

What has grief taught me about the heart of God?

Pray about it: 

As you pray, if you need to, weep—and pray for yourself and all those who weep.

Action to take: 

Sit with someone in their grief, even if you don’t know what to say. Let them weep and weep with them.

Words of Hope Devotional 

The mission of Words of Hope is to provide people both near and far with daily access to God’s Word. At Words of Hope, we believe that Jesus Christ is the hope of the world. We believe that the Bible reveals God’s truth. We believe that God commissions us to make disciples of all nations. We affirm the Apostles’ Creed.

All people in all places should have access to God’s Word. With Words of Hope, you can grow in faith by connecting daily to the truths of Scripture with our daily devotional and by sending God’s good news worldwide through all forms of media.

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Lift your head - the battle isn't over - David was running for his life - betrayed, heartbroken, and hunted by his own son, Absalom. In the midst of collapse, David turned his eyes upward. When everything else was falling apart, he clung to the truth that God had not. The Lord was his shield - not just ahead of him, but around him, covering the blind spots, the unseen threats. When betrayal breaks your heart, when fear grips your chest, when the enemy hisses, "You’re finished" - lift your eyes. The same God who shielded David surrounds you now. He is your defender. He is the hand that lifts your head when the weight of life pulls it down. Salvation is God’s alone - and He’s never lost a battle

"A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son. O LORD, how many are my foes! 

"Many are rising against me; many are saying of my soul, 'There is no salvation for him in God.' Selah

"But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.

" I cried aloud to the LORD, and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah  

"I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the LORD sustained me.  

"I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around.

"Arise, O LORD! 

"Save me, O my God! 

"For you strike all my enemies on the cheek; you break the teeth of the wicked. 

"Salvation belongs to the LORD; your blessing be on your people! Selah" - Psalms 3:1-8

David wrote Psalm 3 while running for his life - betrayed, heartbroken, and hunted by his own son, Absalom. 

The weight of rebellion wasn’t just political; it was personal. 

His household had turned against him. 

Friends became foes. 

Loyal hearts grew cold.

The throne he once held was now surrounded by enemies, and the whispers grew louder: 

“There is no salvation for him in God.” - (Psalm 3:2)

But David didn’t answer his enemies -- he answered with worship.

“But You, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.” - (Psalm 3:3) 

In the midst of collapse, David turned his eyes upward. 

When everything else was falling apart, he clung to the truth that God had not. 

The Lord was his shield - not just ahead of him, but around him, covering the blind spots, the unseen threats. 

When others stripped away his dignity, God became his glory. 

When grief bowed his head low, God lifted it again.

David didn’t just endure - he rested. 

“I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the LORD sustained me.” - (Psalm 3:5) 

That single verse speaks volumes. 

David didn’t sleep because the danger was gone - he slept because his trust was anchored in the God who never sleeps. 

Surrounded by betrayal and hunted in the dark, he laid his head down in faith, not fear. 

And when morning came, breath still in his lungs, it was proof: 

God was still writing his story.

And because of that, he faced the day unshaken. 

“I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around.” - (Psalms 3:6) 

The odds didn’t matter anymore. 

God was with him. 

The same voice that silenced storms now steadied his heart.

“Arise, O LORD! 

"Save me, O my God!” - (Psalm 3:7)

David called out - not in panic, but in confidence.

He had seen what God could do. 

He knew the One who breaks the power of the wicked and silences every mocking mouth. 

And then he makes a bold declaration that echoes across generations: 

“Salvation belongs to the LORD; Your blessing be on Your people.” - (Psalm 3:8)

This isn’t just David’s testimony - it’s the battle cry of every believer who’s ever stood in the fire and refused to bow. 

When betrayal breaks your heart, when fear grips your chest, when the enemy hisses, "You’re finished" - lift your eyes. 

The same God who shielded David surrounds you now.

He is your defender. 

He is your honor when shame tries to stain you. 

He is the hand that lifts your head when the weight of life pulls it down.

Your rescue doesn’t come from strategy or strength, from plans or performance. 

Salvation is God’s alone - and He’s never lost a battle.

His blessing isn’t fragile. 

It doesn’t vanish in the storm. 

It rests still - on those who trust Him. Selah. 

Let that truth thunder through your soul while the battle rages on!

Worthy Ministries is a Christian organization based in the United States and Israel with a global outreach to more than 120 countries on a daily basis.

Though we are an internet ministry, we are also significantly involved in the land of Israel.

Each week, Worthy Ministries delivers thousands of daily devotionals and news briefs across the globe. This past year alone, we have sent out more than 5.2 million news briefs and inspirational devotionals. We have received thousands of encouraging responses from appreciative subscribers. And many millions have utilized our sites and services, including Worthy News, Worthy Chat, Worthy Devotions, and Worthy Christian Forums.

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No Condemnation - although Satan, fell from his exalted position as the anointed cherub and was cast out of the presence of God, he still has access into the heavenlies where he appears before God as the “accuser of the brethren.” Satan points his finger at us and all our failures and shortcomings. Satan not only makes accusations against us before God, but he also works through other people to accuse and bring condemnation upon us. The Apostle Paul declared, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus”

Job 1:13-22

Within a matter of minutes Job lost everything. 

All his worldly possessions and his children were gone!

Shocked, devastated, heartbroken, and in great anguish Job tore his robe and shaved his head. 

He did not shake his fist at God and say, “Why did You allow this to happen to me?” 

He didn't accuse or question God, but he fell on his face and began to worship God (verse 20-21).

Job did not understand why he had lost everything. 

He did not even know who was behind the destruction.

Yet, in his hour of greatest trial, he did not accuse God. 

His eyes were not fixed on circumstances.

He had strong faith and confidence in the sovereignty of God. 

Realizing that it was God Who had given him all that he possessed, he said, “Naked I came from my mother's womb, naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has take may the name of the Lord be praised” - (Job 1:21, NIV).

At first, Job failed to realize it was Satan who was behind his circumstances. 

It was the adversary who worked through men to steal his oxen and donkeys and kill his servants. 

It was Satan who caused lightning to strike and burn up all his sheep and servants. 

It was the enemy who had worked through Chaldeans to steal his camels and kill his servants. 

It was Satan who caused the wind to collapse the house and kill his children. 

In this story of Job, God exposed Satan as the adversary and accuser that he is and has given us the keys that will enable us to face every circumstance Satan brings into our lives in complete victory.

Here is how Job 1:6 is translated in the Amplified Version:

“Now there was a day when the sons (the angels) of God came to present themselves before the Lord, so Satan — the adversary and accuser also came among them.” 

Although Satan, fell from his exalted position as the anointed cherub and was cast out of the presence of God (Ezekiel 28:16), 

he still has access into the heavenlies where he appears before God as the “accuser of the brethren” (Revelation 12:10). 

There, Satan points his finger at us and points out all our failures and shortcomings. 

As our accuser, Satan not only makes accusations against us before God, but he also works through other people to accuse and bring condemnation upon us.

Praise God that the Apostle Paul declared, “There is therefore now no condemnation …”

Make this declaration:

Condemnation cannot operate in my life because my sins are forgiven, and I am clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ.

Amen.

The late Dr. Morris Cerullo is recognized around the world for his dedication to spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. Emboldened by the power of the Holy Spirit, he repeatedly brought the salvation message to more than 130 nations throughout his nearly seven decades in the ministry.

Morris Cerullo World Evangelism exists to support and extend the evangelistic calling and ministries of Dr. Morris Cerullo, by proclaiming the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to every person, through every effective means available to us, and by training Nationals and other to do the same.

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Now No Condemnation - we have to look at ourselves and see how far we are devotedly following the Lord Jesus, with full purpose of heart - how we can say, This one thing I do'; but we must take care at the same time not to get into legal bondage by this standard. The ministration of the letter brings only failure, and condemnation; for it prescribes a rule which man, being a sinner, can never follow. It does not change a man; it proves him ungodly and without strength. Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage

Vengeance is mine - as long as you seek revenge on your adversaries, God will let you fight them alone. You will see divine results when you choose to let Him do His job. Do not seek to repay evil to those who have done evil to you. The Lord says we must leave revenge and payment of evil doers to Him. He will fully repay evil. As a child of God, rather than revenge and condemnation, give love to the world. Ask the Holy Spirit to grant you grace to stay away from vengeance, and yield to His control, and allow Him to be the judge

Love Without End - Absalom led a revolt to kill his father and take the throne. The king gave this command to Joab, Abishai, and Ittai: “For my sake, deal gently with young Absalom.” And all the troops heard the king give this order to his commanders. Christians disappoint the Heavenly Father when they sin against Him, but because of His great love, He extends mercy and grace instead of condemnation. He forgives His people and leads them back to the right path. And He expects them to forgives others too

The greatest of these is love - God gives us His love, and we reflect that love back to Him: “We love because he first loved us.” Love has always existed among the persons of the Trinity. Love has no beginning and does not end. Jesus desired for future believers to be part of His love as well. Jesus taught that the greatest two commandments both include love, the greatest gift. “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. Faith and hope benefit the possessor but love always benefits another. Love cannot remain within itself, and that is part of what makes love the greatest gift. Love is core to God’s character and central to the Christian life

What does it mean that the greatest of these is love?

First Corinthians 13:13 says, “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 

This comes just after Paul’s eloquent and famous description of what true love — agape love —is.

There are several ways in which love can be said to be the greatest.

First Corinthians 13:13 lists love along with faith and hope as a gift that lasts forever. 

The lasting nature of faith, hope, and love make them greater than all other gifts of the Spirit, which are temporary; the gifts of prophecy, tongues, and knowledge are mentioned in 1 Corinthians 13:8 as coming to an end. 

Of the three “forever gifts,” love is the greatest.

Love is greater than faith and hope in that both faith and hope depend on love for their existence. 

Without love, there can be no true faith; a loveless faith is nothing but an empty religious exercise. 

As Paul says, “If I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing” - (1 Corinthians 13:2). 

Without love, there can be no genuine hope; a loveless hope is an oxymoron, because we can’t truly hope for something that we do not love. 

Faith and hope are dead, sterile things if not accompanied by love.

One of the reasons that love is the greatest gift is that it is essential to God’s nature. 

First John 4:8 tells us that God is love. 

The book of John and John’s three letters are replete with the theme of love. 

God gives us His love, and we reflect that love back to Him: 

“We love because he first loved us” - (1 John 4:19).

Jesus said, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. 

"Now remain in my love. 

"If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 

"I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 

"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 

"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. . .  

"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit — fruit that will last — and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 

"This is my command: Love each other” - (John 15:9–17). 

Here we see that love is something that has always existed among the persons of the Trinity.

Love has no beginning and does not end. 

And this is the love into which we are invited. 

Jesus desired for future believers to be part of His love as well: 

“I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them” - (John 17:26).

Jesus taught that the greatest two commandments both include love, the greatest gift: 

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 

"This is the first and greatest commandment. 

"And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 

"All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” - (Matthew 22:37–40).

John Calvin puts forward a very simple reason why love is the greatest gift: 

“Because faith and hope are our own: love is diffused among others.” 

In other words, faith and hope benefit the possessor but love always benefits another. 

In John 13:34–35 Jesus says, “A new command I give you: Love one another. 

"As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 

"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” 

Love always requires an “other” as an object; love cannot remain within itself, and that is part of what makes love the greatest gift.

Love is core to God’s character and central to the Christian life. 

The law of Christ is to love God and love others. 

Love infuses all that God does and should infuse all that we do. 

“Love never fails” - (1 Corinthians 13:8).

And it will never cease. 

Because of this, love is greater than even hope and faith.

Got Questions Ministries

Got Questions Ministries seeks to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by providing biblical, applicable, and timely answers to spiritually related questions through an internet presence."

GotQuestions.org is a ministry of dedicated and trained servants who have a desire to assist others in their understanding of God, Scripture, salvation, and other spiritual topics. We are Christian, Protestant, evangelical, theologically conservative, and non-denominational. We view ourselves as a para-church ministry, coming alongside the church to help people find answers to their spiritually related questions.

gotquestions.org

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AefLJbDq-GsCristyLanedifferent0ne

I Love You More Everyday - Cristy Lane 

lyrics

I love you more everyday

all the doubt has gone away

and now this love is here to stay

I love you more everyday.

You are my comforter and friend

the beginning and the end

the love that knows no bounds

You’re the miracle I found.

I love you more everyday

all the doubt has gone away

and now this love is here to stay

I love you more everyday.

I love you more everyday

all the doubt has gone away

and now this love is here to stay

I love you more everyday.

I love you more everyday

all the doubt has gone away

and now this love is here to stay

I love you more everyday.

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God Pours His Love into Our Hearts - the love of God is poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit. Whoever believes God’s promises and takes hold of Christ receives love. Now the sky above is a richer blue, and the grass around a deeper green. Now we see in all those around us the purchased fruit of the blood of Christ. Now we know that despite our imperfections we are loved and accepted. “If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin.” It is in this reality of God’s Word that we must learn to live

Unfailing Love - love never fails. If you exercise spiritual gifts outside of love, they become as sounding brass and tinkling cymbals. Let’s have prophecy. Let’s have tongues. Let’s have faith. Let’s have knowledge. But let’s have love with it. Let’s put love first, because we are in the family of love, and we have become acquainted with our Heavenly Father, who is love. We ought to want to learn and grow in love until we are made perfect in love. I haven’t been made perfect in love yet, have you? But I’m going to keep working toward that goal. Walk in love, you will not fail — because love never fails - never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end

What Love Looks Like - love gives. Love gives time. Love gives money. Love gives privileges. Love gives what others might consider ours but what we know to be God’s. Generosity is love in action. Generosity isn’t dependent on how much we make but on what’s happening inside our hearts. It’s the overflow of our love for Jesus and for others. The life God’s Son offers us cost Him His life. That’s the essence of love, defined by example in the greatest act of love in the history of the universe: “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins”

Streams in my desert: Nothing Will Be Able to Separate Us From the Love of God in Christ Jesus - it is impossible to build up our faith through human strength or ability. Without the Holy Spirit, we simply aren’t able to keep ourselves in the knowledge and assurance of God’s love for us. We need God’s Spirit to empower us in all things. When everything seems to conspire against God’s promises being fulfilled, the Holy Spirit rises up in us with true words of comfort

Streams in my desert: Love Without End - Absalom led a revolt to kill his father and take the throne. The king gave this command to Joab, Abishai, and Ittai: “For my sake, deal gently with young Absalom.” And all the troops heard the king give this order to his commanders. Christians disappoint the Heavenly Father when they sin against Him, but because of His great love, He extends mercy and grace instead of condemnation. He forgives His people and leads them back to the right path. And He expects them to forgives others too

Streams in my desert: Dead Works - Dead works include all religious activities, good deeds, or charity that one may do as a means of being justified before God. Faith towards God and what He has done through Christ Jesus is the only means of receiving His free gift of salvation

Streams in my desert: Seven Outgrowths of Faith - God has provided all we need, but we must “give all diligence” to the process, much more than simply allowing the Holy Spirit to reside in our hearts to work on our character and habits     wip

Hear, O Lord - Psalm 27 gives us insight into David’s prayer for deliverance when fleeing from Absalom. Absalom not only wanted the throne; he wanted the king’s head. David began his prayer by focusing on God’s character and attributes. He reminded himself that God was his light, salvation, stronghold, shelter, and deliverer. He acknowledged that he would come out of this situation victorious because of his unwavering faith in God's deliverance. When you find yourself in great need, turn to God. Focus on him. Trust in him

I’m not much of a cook, but I do know this: 

The ingredients of a recipe aren’t all that’s important in making a delicious meal. 

You can have all the right ingredients, but if you don’t follow the directions, you’ll wind up with something other than what you wanted. 

While I never want to reduce prayer to a formula, God gives us a wonderful pattern for how to pray in times of trouble with Psalm 27.

This psalm gives us insight into David’s prayer for deliverance when fleeing from Absalom. 

Can you imagine what was going on in David’s heart?

Not only was he trying to preserve his life and those closest to him, but he was also dealing with the pain of betrayal. 

While the king of Israel had a complicated relationship with his son, he wouldn’t have previously placed him in the enemy column. 

All of that had changed. Absalom not only wanted the throne; he wanted the king’s head.

Considering David’s circumstances, one might expect his first words to God to be “Help!” 

While he did eventually reach that point, he began his prayer by focusing on God’s character.

He recounted God’s character and attributes. 

He reminded himself that God was his light, salvation, stronghold, shelter, and deliverer. 

Based on God’s character, he made statements of faith, saying, “He will hide me. 

"He will shield me. 

"He will lift my head above my enemies. 

"So, I will sing and make sacrifices.” 

He acknowledged that he would come out of this situation victorious, but it wouldn’t be because of his strength or military prowess. 

It would be because of his unwavering faith in God's deliverance.

Did David just assume this salvation? 

No. He brought his situation before God, but not until he had focused his heart and mind on God instead of his circumstances. 

He proclaimed, “Hear, O Lord!” 

He acknowledged his utter need. He knew his only hope was God and turned to him for help. 

Even today, his prayer still has a tone of desperation.

“Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence” - (Psalm 27:12, ESV).

When you find yourself in great need, turn to God.

Focus on him. 

Trust in him. 

Don’t forget to take your needs to him. 

Following this pattern not only honors God, but it will also help protect your heart and mind from fear. 

By Mark Renfroe

Mark Renfroe and his wife, Amy, have been involved in field missions work for 30 years. Mark served as the area director for Assemblies of God World Missions and currently serves as the chief missions officer for World Challenge.

worldchallenge.org

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God Hears Your Faintest Call - why do I not call on His name? Why do I sit down and devise schemes and invent plans instead of taking myself and my burden to the Lord? Wouldn’t it be better to go straight to the living God? I will not find deliverance anywhere else; but with God, I shall find it; for he is certain to help me. I will therefore call upon the glorious Lord who had made so large a promise. From what do you need deliverance right now? Be honest. Call on the name of the Lord for deliverance. "whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered"

A teardrop on earth summons the King of Heaven - God takes special notice of those tears of yours. In some mysterious way, our complex inner-communication system knows when to admit its verbal limitations . . . and the tears come. Eyes that flashed and sparkled only moments before are flooded from a secret reservoir. We try in vain to restrain the flow, but even strong men falter. The Lord takes note of our inner friction when hard times are oiled by tears- He enters them into the record He keeps on our lives

Promises and Expectations - the faithfulness of Samson’s parents is a reminder that we can’t predict how events will unfold but must nevertheless hold tightly to God’s promises. Samson’s life didn’t turn out the way his parents may have dreamed. In his final moments, Samson regained his strength and fulfilled the promise of deliverance. We can trust that the Lord loves us and is able to work everything for His glory. Serving God may not always look like what we expect, but we can rest in His love and faithfulness

Streams in my desert: A Sign of God’s Power - when we walk into a situation and we’re not there in our own strength, when we give God the glory, we can see God move. God is calling us to face our greatest fears oftentimes. Many who have known Christ their whole life still have the devil whispering into their hearts. Deliverance was not in the natural or by men’s power, and so will be your deliverance. God will look upon your affliction and his power will heal

Streams in my desert: It's all in His wonderful timing - are you wondering, "When will God show up?" The story of the birth of Samson may hold an answer. God will show up precisely when His time of testing has been accomplished. And when He does, you may need to deal with the divine impact of His revelation, and as you worship Him, stand in awe of how "absolutely and supremely wonderful" He is. So, don't be impatient during the time of testing. The deliverance and the wonder will be well worth the wait

Streams in my desert: Angelic Forces are With You - we may feel like we are being surrounded by the forces of our enemy, but in reality, we are surrounded by Almighty God. The evil one cannot lay a hand on us, for we are surrounded by God’s own hedge of protection. He would protect our coming in and going out. Day and night God is our guard; He will not sleep or slumber as He surrounds us with His care. So, in perilous times, when we feel surrounded and there seems to be no way out, lift up our heads, raise our hands in praise, and look to the Source of our deliverance

Streams in my desert: God is More Than Enough to Deliver - we are reliant on a God whose powers go beyond all other powers in existence including that of death. If you follow Jesus, ultimately every remedy you need rests on the power of God. He breathes faith into lifeless hearts. He also raises the coldest, dead churches back to life. We are his and when he allows us to be confronted by trials, we must know that no power can triumph over his purposes for us. The work he does in each of us is for a lifetime. No circumstance is beyond his power to deliver

Streams in my desert: He Sees Your Tears - perhaps you’re in a season when tears are coming and going. Let me encourage you; it is in those seasons that God is doing his most incredible work. Through tears wrought within the peril and weakness of a Christian’s pilgrimage, God is bending low to hear His child’s cries. Practically speaking, our tears have a purpose. They remind us of our need. They remind us that even Christ’s tears fell. They remind us that tears will one day be no more. “… and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain ..."