Tears in Heaven?

Our current state of affairs has been on my mind lately. The world seems to be on fire and have gone completely mad. I have had my fair share of fears, tears and doubts like most people. I know how I’ve reacted emotionally and I’ve seen others emotional reactions from all over the world.

We watch from our television screens, our phone and tablet screens and see this craziness and we shake our heads in disbelief. We mourn for losses, violence, discord, hatred, people hating and fighting with one another.

For most of us it makes us disheartened and discouraged no matter what side you’re on. I know my soul is vexed like that of righteous Lot’s. It pained him to see the evil and sin prevailing in his home town of Sodom. My soul, as well, is tormented by the wickedness I see and hear everyday.

“Yes, Lot was a righteous man who was tormented in his soul by the wickedness he saw and heard day after day.” 2 Peter 2:8

The thought occurred to me how does God feel about this? I stopped to ponder what God must be thinking as He looks down from his throne above.

“God looks down from heaven on the entire human race; he looks to see if anyone is truly wise, if anyone seeks God.” Psalm 53:2

I know his heart must mourn to see mankind, to see His creation in such turmoil and discord. To see brother against brother, to see such hatred for each other. The world is one thing, but he even sees it in His church amongst His own children and I know he wishes he could gather us under His wings like a hen gathers her young.

”Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.” Matthew 23:37

I know God is not surprised, He’s not shocked or caught unaware. He’s all knowing, He knew this would happen. I know He has seen this sinful nature from the beginning of time. Since Cain killed Abel, there has been hatred among brothers. God is not surprised, but I have to think that His heart must be grieving for mankind.

I’m not sure if God cries, but the Bible says he grieves.

We are told in Genesis 6:6 that, “The Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.”

“The Israelites rebelled against Him so much that they grieved Him in the desert!” Psalm 78:40

Isaiah 63:10 says they grieved His Holy Spirit.

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians‬ ‭4:30-32‬

It seems like God is saying, if we don’t want to grieve His Spirit, we need to get along and forgive one another. Unity is the answer, unity makes God’s heart and Spirit glad and is pleasing in the sight of the Lord.

What does grieve mean exactly?

What does grieve mean in our modern day vernacula?

“Mourn, lament, break someone‘s heart,” are just a few words and phrases to describe how we grieve God. I do not want to bring that kind of sorrow to my Savior.

The dictionary entry says the opposite of grieve is to please. Our goal should be to please not grieve the Lord. If we want to please the Lord we must do what is right.

God told Cain the same words he would have us hear today, “If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”

Cain sinned anyway. We sin anyway. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23

We don’t have to stay stuck there in our sins though. “Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.” Romans‬ ‭3:2

Jesus’ death for the sins of mankind is also brings pleasure to the Lord. And He willing caused Him grief for our sake.

“Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand.” Isaiah 53:10

I want to please God, not grieve God. If He was willingly grieved for my sake I should want to please Him all the more.

What else is good and pleasing in the sight of the Lord?

“Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior,” ‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭2:2-3‬ ‭

I don’t want to be known for grieving the Spirit of God, but I’m sure I have on many occasions with my sins. This grieves me and makes me sorry for my sins. God’s mercy and compassion is great so He willingly forgives us of those sins if we repent.

I guess to counter this, to please God I must obey His two greatest commandments that He has set forth and that is to love Him and to love others.

If you love me, you will obey my commandments.

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8

I know God must be saddened and grieving over our current situation, over so much wickedness and hatred in the world. I don’t know if he cries tears from His throne in heaven, but I do know that He promises that one day He will wipe away every tear from our eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

No tears in heaven.

That is one pleasing promise!