Today’s Devotional Thought:
“You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?” (Psalms 56:8 ESV)
This verse should comfort those who are suffering during this season of COVID-19. Does God see? Does he know? Does he care?
First, God counts our sorrows: “You have kept count of my tossings.”
The word “tossings” can also be translated “wanderings” or “sorrows.” God is watching. He knows what we’re facing today. He’s not blind. He’s not unaware of our wanderings. He counts our sorrows. As Jesus says, “Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows” (Luke 12:7).
Second, God collects our tears and writes them in his book: “put my tears in your bottle.”
Isn’t that a beautiful image? When you cry, even if you think you’re alone, God sees and cares. And though this isn’t a literal image, the bottle of tears points to God’s omniscience and loving care for his people. As the Psalmist says elsewhere: “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints” (Psalms 116:15).
Now during COVID-19, nearly everyone is facing a lot of pressure. There is fear, sorrow, suffering, and tears around the world. But thankfully, God sees and cares. And he has demonstrated this by sending his own Son, Jesus Christ. He was “a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3). Or, as the Book of Hebrews says, “We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:15-16).
Ways to Pray:
Thanks for keeping track of my wanderings and for loving me unconditionally in Christ!
Forgive me for thinking that you don’t notice or care about the ways I’m suffering today.
Give me opportunities to comfort others who are facing sorrow for whatever reason. Let me notice the tears of my neighbor as you notice mine.
Monday through Friday: Written by Pastor Stern
Saturday and Sunday: Written by Jonathan Hatt