Do you have a trail of tears?

The Trail of Tears

A very severe and tragic event in US history was the forced relocation of thousands of Native Americans in the early 19th century.  Native American tribes, who had struck treaties with and fought alongside the burgeoning white population, were driven out of their ancestral lands.  In the winter of 1838, thousands of Cherokee were forced to embark on a brutal 1,000-mile march westward known as The Trail of Tears.  This injustice resulted in the deaths of thousands of people, many of whom had little or no clothing, shoes, or supplies for such a journey.

The world continues to be filled with injustice, pain, and heartache.  And many today may feel as if they are leaving a trail of tears --- tears that go unnoticed and grief that is not comforted.  

But our Lord sees our tears and comforts our weary hearts.

2 Corinthians 1:3-5

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.

He also declares the hope of a future time not marked by the stains of sin or injustice.  In that day and in that place, 

“God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying.  There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away”.  

Revelation 21:4

The God who offers freedom from tears in the future is the only One who can fully comfort our tears now.

----Bill Crowder

Loving Father, thank You that our hurts and pains matter to You.  Thank You for the promise of a n eternity without tears and a life forever with You. Amen.

When God permits trials, He also provides comfort.

From Wednesday, December 12, 2012, Our Daily Bread