God’s Tear Bottle

v.8:

This psalm was actually written by David when he was being pursued by Saul on one side and surrounded by Philistines on the other. 

David apparently not only had his own tear bottle, but also believed that God somehow was also storing up David’s personal tears in His own heavenly bottle of tears.

This is a beautiful insight into the heart of God.

He has a tear bottle—possibly a tear bottle for each of His wayward children?

 Ancient “tear bottles” (or wineskins) have actually been found by archaeologists in Israel. 

They were used to catch and preserve the owner’s tears during times of grief or extreme pressure.

What we see from this, is that God has a record of our suffering, He will not forget, and He will vindicate. 

Our tears mean something to God, who also grieves and weeps. 

Genesis 6:6

Genesis 6:6 NKJV

And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.

Isaiah 63:10

Isaiah 63:10 NKJV

But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit; So He turned Himself against them as an enemy, And He fought against them.

John 11:35

John 11:35 NKJV

Jesus wept.

God knows all our wanderings and sorrows and all our tears, and stores them up in His book of remembrance. 

Malachi 3:16

Malachi 3:16 NKJV

Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, And the Lord listened and heard them; So a book of remembrance was written before Him For those who fear the Lord And who meditate on His name.

Even in our deepest sorrow, God cares! 

When you feel so discouraged that you are sure no one understands, remember that God knows every problem and sees every tear.

John Bunyan said:

“God preserves our tears in a bottle, so that He can wipe them away”

Matthew Henry said:

“The tears of God’s persecuted people are bottled up, and sealed among God’s treasures.”

God is near to those who are hurting.

Luke 4:18

Luke 4:18 NKJV

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed;

Psalm 147:3

Psalm 147:3 NKJV

He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds.

Psalm 34:18

Psalm 34:18 NKJV

The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.

Psalm 51:17

Psalm 51:17 NKJV

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart— These, O God, You will not despise.

v.9:

God hears our cries and our pleas, and He acts on our behalf.

If God be for you, who can be against you?

Romans 8:31

Romans 8:31 NKJV

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

“God is for me” is a profound statement.

God is for us with all the infinity of His being.

God is for us with all the omnipotence of His love.

God is for us with all the infallibility of His wisdom.

Arrayed in all His divine attributes, He is for us—eternally and unshakably for us.

This means that God’s commitment transcends any crisis you may be going through.

This was surely a comforting thought for David, and comforting words for us.

v.10:

With this in mind, it is always a good time to praise God.

Regardless of our situation, we should praise God.

God is worthy of praise.

Psalm 18:3

Psalm 18:3 NKJV

I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies.

Psalm 113:3

Psalm 113:3 NKJV

From the rising of the sun to its going down The Lord’s name is to be praised.

v.11:

Regardless of our situation, we should trust God.

We should trust God.

Psalm 56:3

Psalm 56:3 NKJV

Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.

We have no need to fear.

Psalm 56:4

Psalm 56:4 NKJV

In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?

v.12:

David’s greatest desire was to glorify God, which is why he wrote this psalm.

God never fails us, so we should endeavor not to fail Him.

God always keeps His promises, so we should keep ours.

The vows we make to Him are binding.

v.13:

David had a great motivation for fulfilling his vows to God.

But this situation is not unique to David, God has delivered each and every one of His children from death.

God has delivered all of His children from death.

2 Timothy 1:10

2 Timothy 1:10 NKJV

but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,

Romans 8:2

Romans 8:2 NKJV

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

Romans 6:23

Romans 6:23 NKJV

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The list goes on and on.

Through God’s saving grace, we too can walk before God.

We too can walk before God.

Galatians 5:16

Galatians 5:16 NKJV

I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.