Tears by VICTOR BRICKEY

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 12, 1914

Tears

By VICTOR BRICKEY

VICTOR BRICKEY

TEARS! The very mention of them brings to the memory of every one of us times of heartbreaking sorrow in his own life. Who has not shed tears—hot, blinding tears? O, what recollections come when we mention tears! A great many tears have been shed on this old earth. We hear of wars when the streets of cities literally ran with blood. Did you ever stop to think that the eyes of thousands ran with tears at such times? This old earth is literally soaked with tears. I doubt if there has been as much blood shed as tears.

Tears are usually the result of sorrow; and those who shed them usually need sympathy. There are exceptions, however. Women frequently resort to them as a last weapon in a controversy. In such cases they are usually more effective than all the argument that can be produced.

Then there are tears of joy. These are infrequent. They belong mostly to the saints of God as they in humility contemplate the glorious prospect of soon seeing Jesus face to face.

There is such a thing as a tear of sympathy. We all remember the song,— “We share our mutual woes, Our mutual burdens bear, And often for each flows The sympathizing tear.”

Would to God there were more of them shed! Jeremiah said: “Mine eyes do fail with tears, . . . for the destruction of the daughter of my people.” And again, “Let tears run down like a river day and night.” Again, “Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!” Well would it be for us if we would shed more tears on account of the misfortunes of others.

We are too prone to grieve over our own misfortunes and hardships, and forget or neglect to sympathize with those who need sympathy. Brethren and sisters, let us resolve by God’s grace to be more sympathetic.

What would have been our condition today if Jesus had not sympathized with us? We read that in the days of his flesh, he offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears. Heb. 5: 7. Yes, Jesus shed tears for you and me.

His tears were never for himself. Yet I have no doubt that he shed more tears than any man. The Bible says he shed them when he offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying. That means more than ordinary crying. Jesus was a sympathetic man.

It further says that Jesus was heard when he offered up prayers with strong crying and tears. Do you suppose we would receive more answers to prayer

if we would mingle more tears with our prayers?

Then there are tears of penitence. I am sure they are never unnoticed by God. But tears do not always gain God’s favor. Esau sought a place of repentance carefully with tears, but was rejected. There are people today who shed tears like Esau—for effect. They may deceive men, but not him who knows the thoughts and intents of the heart.

There is a faithful record kept of the tears of the righteous. Hear the words of David: “Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?” Ps. 56: 8. O brother, you who have known the hardships, the trials, the heartaches, the sorrows of this present evil world; you who sigh and cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof; you who shed hot, blinding tears until you are ashamed; listen to me: God has a faithful recorder by your side. Not a tear escapes his notice. They are written in his book. And the promise is to you, “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy;” “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.”

“Thus saith the Lord; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the Lord.” Jer. 31: 16. Men may mock at your tears; but not so with our Jesus. He counts them all, and you shall receive a just reward.

“And Hezekiah wept sore. And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the Lord came to him, saying, Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee.” 2 Kings 20: 3-5.

When we see hard-hearted men give way to tears, we may know that angels are near, and God’s Spirit is operating upon the heart. At such times it is good to remember the words of Paul, “Quench not the Spirit.”

However useful they are now, and however well they serve their purpose at present, the time is almost here when there shall be no more tears. God speed the day.

Pueblo, Colo.