As we wander, we don’t have to wonder about God’s word

For some of us, life is sometimes filled with trouble and heartache. The phrase, “things happen,” is a true statement. Life happens and all the circumstances that come with it. Certainly there are many joys that occur in our lives and those are blessings that we should never take for granted.

Life happens but God is good. He is with us in the midst of the most difficult of times, whether we realize it or not. He is our ever-present help in times of trouble and not a sigh; cry or tear escapes his notice.

In Psalm 56:8, the Scripture reads, “You have taken account of my wanderings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?” The psalmist, King David, is expressing his faith in God during a most difficult time of his life. It is this very expression of humility that brings with it the encouragement and trust that the Lord is aware of all that is going on in his life. God knows the steps we take, the path we walk and the destination we are heading toward. He sees all of the pitfalls and stumbling blocks placed before us and there is nothing that escapes his notice or catches him by surprise.

In this declaration of faith, the psalmist is fully aware that God is keeping a record of his life. Knowing that the Lord “has taken account” of the “wanderings” or travels of his life, brings with it a sense of peace because he is not in the battle alone. To wander about is to move aimlessly —wondering what is going to happen next. Sometimes, we do find ourselves in hard places, dry places and seemingly without any possible way for things to change. Having the assurance of the word of God in Psalm 56 will give us the confidence to know we are not forgotten.

Not only is there a record kept in heaven of our life, but also of our tears. Take a minute and think about it. How many times in this short life do we cry and shed tears? From the time we are born, as babies, we will cry. Naturally some will cry more than others. Throughout our life we will experience emotions associated with living. Tears are shed when we are happy, sad, angry, grieving, relieved or depressed. We may cry when we are frustrated or when someone has deeply wounded or disappointed us. Whatever the reason, each tear that falls from our eyes is kept by our loving Father, in his possession. Kept by him, never to be forgotten because he is the God who sees all.

The psalmist goes on to say that God has a book. Our life’s journey is recorded in the Lord’s book. If no one else on this earth is aware of your pain, be confident that God knows. His strength and peace is only a prayer away. The Bible says that one day he will wipe away every tear. Here we will experience difficulties but he is with us to see us through. Hold onto his unchanging hand and be still. Know that he is God and he is with you, to hold you and comfort you, and see you through any circumstance that life presents you.

Psalm 126:5-6 goes, “Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting, he who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed, shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.”

God’s word is true and he cannot lie. It is the law of sowing and reaping. Sowing in tears, in prayer, in giving will produce a result. We may not see the answers yet or feel and sense the relief but one day, joy will come. Know that your tears are recorded and kept by a loving God, never to be forgotten and soon to be reaped with a time of joy.

If you are burdened and wounded in spirit, let this be your declaration of faith to the Lord today: “When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.” Psalm 56:3.

XPatty Scahill of Struthers, who is a teacher, preacher, conference speaker and author, attends Christian Life Church in Canfield. A former women’s director of Teen Challenge in Youngstown, she is working on her second book, “The Wilderness Journey.”