-Joe Fornear
A touch from God often comes with a taste of tears. Those mighty men and women of the Bible, those vaunted “saints of old,” they endured stretches when tears were so frequent, they called them “food.” Most often we read this as a bad thing, but tears can be cleansing … and good. I busted down more than once during my intense battle with Stage IV melanoma and it helped to know tears are common and have a purpose. Yes, my male friends, even for us.
The Psalmists of the 42nd Psalm let us in on their “desert” struggle. Their thirst for God entailed wondering if He was even there! I’ve wondered at times myself. Perhaps you wonder today. Maybe like the Psalmist you’re on a “salt water cleanse” of tears now.
- “My tears have been my food day and night” (Psalm 42:3).
- “Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me?” (Psalm 42:5).
- “Why have You forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?” (Psalm 42:9).
But surely that’s not all there is – just knowing we’re as emotionally stuck as the next guy or gal? No way! The Psalmists proclaim, there’s hope, much hope! Heck, there’s always hope.
Yet hope is a choice. It’s a fight of faith. Don’t let the enemy tell you there is no hope, that God is not there. That He’s abandoned you and there is no coming back from your circumstances or the circumstances of someone you love! The Psalmists encouraged their own souls with the facts, and they set aside those negative emotions and lies. Tell yourself the truth and refocus:
- “Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence” (Psalm 42:5).
- “Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God” (Psalm 42:11).
- “Deep calls to deep at the sound of Your waterfalls; All Your breakers and Your waves have rolled over me. The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime; And His song will be with me in the night” (Psalm 42:7-8).
Those who are in Christ are perfectly united with Him, so we cannot even be separated from Him (for more on union with Him go here). “The one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him” (1 Corinthians 6:17). As He is the Bread of Life, His Presence is a food we can definitely feed on. His goodness fills us up deep in our spirits and changes our “countenance” – our moods. Our souls are lifted by wave upon wave of His love washing over us.
Also, when times are tough, know that He cries with you. He tastes your tears. He’s on a salt water cleanse with you – He is after all, “The Tear Collector!” And He wants you to know this desert experience is temporary – it will NOT last long. Cease squirming, running, turning, numbing or shaking your fist at Him, or others. Let Him comfort you and lift you up. You’re one with Him and He with you!
*Join Joe & Terri Fornear on 3rd Tuesdays of each month at 7:00 pm CST on Joe Fornear‘s Facebook page for our one-hour online prayer meeting. Joe’s FB page is here, add him as a friend to get notifications for this event and for other encouraging posts. Let’s find out together the difference prayer can make! Next meeting on May 16th. See past episodes in February and March and April.
