An old devotional book asks the question, “How shall God be able in heaven to dry up your tears when you have not wept?”* The image of God tenderly wiping away your tears describes a loving and compassionate moment in heaven between you and your Savior. Your earthly sorrows have a profound purpose in eternity: They are setting the stage for God to engage Himself wholly and completely in your eternal comfort. No wonder David prayed for God to “put my tears into Your bottle; are they not in Your book?” (Psalm 56:8, NKJV). In other words, God will account for every one of your tears. The reason for your suffering will be made plain as God reveals the unseen and unimagined purposes behind your hurts through the years. And as He dries your tears in heaven, it will showcase His intimate affection toward you personally—much more so than if you never cried!
Lord, I am amazed You have recorded in detail every time I have cried. For some reason, You think it is important to have a complete inventory of every tear that has fallen from my eyes. Help me not to hide my tears or be discouraged over my sorrows, remembering that You take note and care about each one of them.
*(Jose Arndt [True Christianity], in Soren Kierkegaard, Purity of Heart Is to Will One Thing [New York: Feather Trail, 2009], 70).