Tears in a Bottle - Psalm 56:8-9

"You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. My enemies will retreat when I call to you for help. This I know: God is on my side!" (Psalm 56:8-9, NLT)

Did you ever play games as a child that required the choosing of "sides?"

A "side" was one of two or more contesting groups or teams. A captain would be selected or appointed for each "side" and each captain then would choose others to be on his or her side.

Of course, sides were chosen strategically so that a winning team would be assembled, or so all of one's best friends were on the same side!

The psalmist declares that he has assembled a winning team that can defeat his enemies because God is on his side.

Take a moment to savor the word picture the psalmist portrays in these verses.

God is a desired and valuable team member not only because He is all-powerful, but because He knows you so personally and intimately.
     He has collected all the tears from your sorrows in a bottle.
          He has kept a list of your sorrows in a book.

The Hebrew words for "sorrows" and "bottle" are similar and the psalmist uses a word play to emphasize God's vicarious understanding of your pain and suffering.

God has "bottled-up" your sorrows, so to speak.

Because God knows and understands your troubles. He is on your side to help you overcome them!

"Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you." (1 Peter 5:7, NLT)