Tears of sorrow

"And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes." -Luke 19:41-44

Lazarus's death was not the only time that Jesus wept. He wept over the city of Jerusalem shortly before he was to be crucified. "If thou hadst known...the things which belong unto thy peace!" Jesus was crying tears of sorrow over Jerusalem because they wouldn't obey...they wouldn't turn from their sins and follow Him. He knew He could give them peace. He wanted that for them. He loved them dearly. But they wouldn't turn, and thus, he wept.

I think I sort of know how He was feeling. I know many people- some friends, some family members... some I care about deeply, some I barely even know (yet still, my heart hurts for)... who are making really bad decisions. Some need salvation. Some are saved, but won't give their lives to Christ and continue to rebel. I was there once. And I just want to scream at them "It's not worth it! Don't do it! Stay away from that!" I know what brings true contentment. I know what brings peace. And it's giving up your life to Jesus, completely surrendering and following Him. It's not easy... not at first. It takes dying to yourself. But it's the only way. I know what they could have....what joy, what contentment. God has been so merciful to me. I could be in such a worse position than I am now. Going out and partying, having sex, drinking.... well, we all know what serious consequences those things can have. I used to do it. I never thought I would end up doing some of the things that I did, and that's part of what scares me so much about the decisions that these people are making. They may not realize what they've gotten themselves into, until it's too late. God changed my life, and I am so thankful for the place I am at right now. I know what those choices bring, and I know what doing it right and living for God brings... and I want so badly to make these people realize that. I could have saved myself from so much pain, if I had learned earlier. And it's not just partying and drinking that can ruin someones life. That was just an example. They may not even be doing anything that society understands as having serious consequences. But if they're not following Jesus with all of their heart, they will never know the peace that He gives. And there will be consequences. There will be pain. The pain of not receiving God's blessings. The pain of eternal punishment, if they're not saved. The pain of knowing what they could have had.... and it makes me weep.

"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."-Romans 8:18

Trials really are blessings in disguise. I may not be grateful for my trials while I am going through them- though I know they are for good and I persevere- but I sure am grateful for them afterwards. I am so thankful that God didn't leave me where I was. I am most thankful that He led me to His Son, Jesus, so that I could be saved and not go to hell. But I am also thankful that He didn't stop there... He led me through various trials, that have made me a better person and brought me so much joy! Doing things God's way and having a good relationship with Him makes me happy! Were the trials painful? Oh my soul, yes! But they were necessary to get rid of sin in my life and bring me closer to my God so I can be happy! Another result is to bring glory to God, which also makes me happy! I'm not trying to sound conceited here. In fact, it's just the opposite. I am seriously in awe, and it makes me cry, to think that God loves me so much to bring me through these trials so that I can be included in bringing Him glory. Whoever thinks that God is conceited in wanting glory for Himself is totally missing it. I mean HELLO, He created us! He didn't have to. He doesn't need us. Really, He doesn't. So get over yourself and realize that God is giving you the opportunity to be part of something awesome. Think about Adam and Eve. Were they given anything but pleasure? It's our fault that we have to go through trials but we should be grateful that God is bringing us through them and that He didn't just leave us on our own to reap the consequences of our sin. A good father doesn't do that, even though it may be what we deserve. And God is the greatest Father ever! He loves us and wants to bless us. Trials are the paths we have to cross in order to get back to the paradise we lost.

“Philosophy may instruct men to be calm under their troubles; but Christianity teaches them to be joyful, because such exercises proceed from love and not fury in God.” -Matthew Henry