Several years ago, while living in Mobile, Alabama, two young college students who lived locally were murdered. The newspaper interviewed the parents of both victims. I read the article about their deaths, wherein both families expressed their shock and disbelief that their daughters were taken from them so soon. I can’t even begin to imagine what the families were feeling at that time, and I’m sure the parents’ lives were flooded with tears and many questions that will last for many years, even to this day and until their last days.
We certainly do live in a weeping world! The book of Lamentations was written by the weeping prophet, Jeremiah. He wrote during a time when the citizens of Judah had been taken into captivity. Jerusalem lay in ruin (Lamentations 2:8–9), and the prophet Jeremiah wept continually (Lamentations 3:98–99).
Yet, Jeremiah knew something about the sovereignty of God that we need to know in these challenging times. He stated to a people who needed encouragement, “‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘Therefore, I will hope in Him!’” (Lamentations 3:24). He knew of God’s mercy. He knew of His compassion and the Lord’s faithfulness that would last forever.
Because we live in a weeping world, reality tells us that from time to time, we will shed tears. Furthermore, our hearts will be heavy with sadness, but that doesn’t mean we have a weak faith or a lack of trust in God. Some people think that a believer must feel joyful, even when the heart is breaking—or at least try to appear that way. However, the weeping prophet, Jeremiah, refuted that. Tears are a natural part of life, and yes, even part of a Christian’s life (John 11:35). Thank God that one day in glory our wonderful Savior will wipe all our tears away (Revelation 7:17; 21:4). Let us live our lives each day knowing that even though tears will come, we can still worship God and serve in His kingdom, believing that He is sovereign and that Jesus is Lord. They can be trusted no matter what happens (Revelation 4:1–4).
