“Papa, I Can’t Stop Crying” (Part 2)
Part One: Tears of Sadness
The Feeling is Helpless. We want God to change our circumstances!
Part Two : Tears of Sorrow (Wept Over or Because of People) – The Feeling is Hopeless
Sorrow is a deeper level of sadness usually acquainted with people in your life. For example:
- Family members or close friends suffer or die from lingering disease; especially that which was unexpected, a child or young person, and, worst of all, suicide.
- Seeing someone you love waste his or her life living in sin or with one of many addictions
- Deep, profound sorrow over the state of our nation and world; the sins of the people.
The life of David provides examples of tears of sorrow wept on many occasions:
- (David and his men came home to find their families had been captured by an enemy.)
“Then David and the people who were with him raised their voices and wept until they had no more strength to weep. 1 Samuel 30:4
(In the first penitential psalm, David confessed his sin and pleaded for God’s mercy)
“I am weary with my sighing; Every night I make my bed swim, I flood my couch with my tears.” Psalm 6:6
- Parental Sorrow. Here are two examples where David weeps tears of sorrow over death in his family. 1. The death of his baby born to Bathsheba. 2. His favorite son, Absalom who took over his throne and tried to kill him.
“Later the LORD struck the child that Uriah’s widow bore to David, so that he was very sick. David therefore pleaded with God for the child; and David fasted and went and lay on the ground… And he said, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept … But now he has died; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I am going to him, but he will not return to me.” 1 Samuel 12: 16-17; 22-23
“Then the king trembled and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. And this is what he said as he walked: “My son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you, Absalom, my son, my son!” Behold, the king is weeping and he mourns for Absalom. 2 Samuel 18:33; 19:1
Following are two examples from the life and ministry of Jesus.
Jesus wept tears of sorrow over the death of his good friend, Lazarus.
“So when Mary came to the place where Jesus was, she saw Him and fell at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. Therefore when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled, and He said, “Where have you laid him?” They *said to Him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus wept. So the Jews were saying, “See how He loved him!” John 11:32-36
Jesus wept tears of sorrow over Jerusalem because of the sinful disobedience of the people for so many generations and the consequences that sin was about to bring.
“When He approached Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If you had known on this day, even you, the conditions for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you when your enemies will put up a barricade against you, and surround you and hem you in on every side, and they will level you to the ground, and throw down your children within you, and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.” Luke 19: 41-44
Paul wept over the enemies of Christ who were lost in their sin.
“For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even as I weep, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who have their minds on earthly things.” Philippians 3:18
I hope these examples, from the lives of the greatest Man Who ever lived and the lives of others considered among the greatest men of faith, help you see that this side of Heaven, we will weep tears of sorrow. Remember Jesus said,“ Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4
Tears of Remorse/Repentance. (When we weep over our sin and finally pray in humility, “Lord change me!”)
(David) “When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality failed as with the dry heat of summer. Selah. I acknowledged my sin to You, and I did not hide my guilt; I said, “I will confess my wrongdoings to the LORD;” and You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah. Therefore, let everyone who is godly pray to You in a time when You may be found; Psalm 32: 3-6a
The Denial-Betrayal of Peter
“About an hour later, another man insisted, “Certainly this man was with Him, for he too is a Galilean.” “Man, I do not know what you are talking about,” Peter replied. While he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word that the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.” And (Peter) went outside and wept bitterly.” Luke 22:59-62
It is so good to know that one day all of our tears, whether sadness or sorrow, will be wiped away and turned into tears of joy.
Tears of Joy
“Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!” Psalm 126:5
Jesus to Disciples
“…but your sorrow will be turned into joy.” John 20:16c
“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; the first things have passed away.” And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He *said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” Then He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. Revelation 21:4-6
Corrie ten Boom wrote, “If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed. If you look within, you’ll be depressed. If you look at God you’ll be at rest.”
Closing Words from Jesus. These words should make those who continue to reject Him and His love weep uncontrollably and inconsolably:
“But for the cowardly, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and sexually immoral persons, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8
Please repent and receive Jesus as your Savior today and He will wipe away every tear!
For Christ’s sake,
