"You number my wanderings; put my tears into your bottle; are they not in your book? When I cry out to you, then my enemies will turn back; this I know, because God is for me." Psalm 56:8-9 (NKJV)

This particular Psalm was written when David found himself in Gath, fleeing from the wrath of King Saul who had found himself in a jealous rage because of David's previous exploit in his victory over Goliath. The court of public opinion had swung from Saul to the triumphant David. "So the women sang as they danced, and said: "Saul has slain his thousands, and David has slain his ten thousands." I Samuel 18:7 (NKJV) As a result, David is on the run. Saul is ruthless, David is restless and under house arrest in Gath. Isn't it interesting how those we serve as friends, under the right set of circumstances can conveniently become our foes? Another note to be considered is that this psalm stands side by side with Psalm 55. There David's troubles were caused by family and friends. In Gath the circumstances were quite difference, however when trouble comes it is just as troubling regardless of the source.

Have you found yourself in the crucible of circumstances that may be similar to David's and at the same time just as painful? Have you experienced restless nights, tossing and turning, your mind wondering, your pillow wet with tears, and no answer to your dilemma anywhere in sight? Rest assured, God knows, and God cares. He knows just how much we can bear. You may have to cry but it won't be for long. "For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning." Psalm 30:5 (NKJV) Our Father is uniquely concerned about each individual tear that we may have to shed. As much as we may not be willing to acknowledge, every child of God has to cry sometime. The idea of God bottling our tears is the picture of Him placing each one in a container, counting them one by one. It is further pictured as a loving God who knows our suffering and will protect us from the hands of the enemy. He maps our every step and gathers our tears.

God bottles our tears and records them in His book. It is a symbol of the intimate merciful care that He has for His children. This should breed a level of confidence whereby we can declare just as David did in this particular psalm, "This I know." There was no speculation or doubt. If God is concerned with our tears then we know that He is for us. Upon this confession the enemy must turn back and flee. The enemy has no place, no power, and no position in our life. It is not what someone else tells us, but it is what we know from our own personal experience with God. God is for us. "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31 (NKJV)

Never ever forget that God is mindful of our trials and at the same time He is mindful of our tears. The tears that you shed are never in vain. Go ahead and cry. God grabs each one and records them in His book that we will never have to cry the same tears again. But you have to trust and believe that God is for you. It is the unyielding confidence in this fact that will allow you to endure the storms and struggles of this life. There will be a day when you will not have to cry another tear ever again. "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." Revelation 21:4 (NKJV)