I doubt whether there would be many of you who would disagree with the observation that countless tears have been shed in millions of homes across the world during the course of the past 3 years. The unexpected and swift way in which loved ones have been taken from us has left many people devastated and broken-hearted. I wonder whether you have paused to consider how much God values our tears. The tears of His people frequently ‘stain’ the pages of Scripture, e.g.:

• Joseph wept over his brothers, even though they hated him without reason, Genesis chapter 45 verse 15;
• King David wept over the rebellion of his son, Absalom, against him, 2 Samuel chapter 15 verse 30;
• Hannah wept, because she longed for a male child that she could give to serve God, 1 Samuel chapter 1 verse 10;
• Jeremiah, the prophet, wept often about the sad spiritual condition of things in Jerusalem, Lamentations chapter 1 verse 16;
• when Nehemiah heard about the sad state of things in Jerusalem, he sat down and wept, Nehemiah chapter 1 verse 4;
• after Peter denied knowing the Lord at the time of His trial, he wept bitterly, Luke chapter 22 verse 62; and
• after Jesus had been crucified, Mary Magdalene stood outside of His tomb, weeping, John chapter 20 verse 11.

These are just a few examples in the Bible of those who were moved to tears; indeed, we learn that even Jesus wept over the refusal of the inhabitants of Jerusalem to receive Him. He also wept at the tomb of His friend, Lazarus, and in the Garden of Gethsemane, prior to His betrayal and arrest. The prophet, Isaiah, described Him as ‘the Man of Sorrows’, Isaiah chapter 53 verse 3.

It is a comfort to know that every tear we shed is seen, noted and valued by God!