I Can Not Cry

Years ago I attended a Youth With A Mission's Discipleship Training School (DTS) in Scotland where I experienced one of the most strangest altar call.

The speaker that night made an appeal to all British men (including those from Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales) who had not cried for a very long time. If they desired to cry he welcomed them to the front of the room. If I recall I was the only American so I was out. Americans tend to be very expressive so I felt a bit smug. My problem was I can't recall a time I didn't cry! I watched as the men quietly slip out of their chairs and stand facing the audience.

Some of them had terrible experiences in life but were bound by a culture of stoicism and reserve. The stiff upper lip was expected not a man publicly weeping from pain and brokenness. The Holy Spirit moved that night to free them to weep not only from personal pain but to know the cry of God's heart for the lost and wounded.

I'm reminded of the woman who wept at Jesus feet and dried them with her hair. She did not speak at all but the religious rulers argued about her conduct and wasting costly perfume. Her tears were unspoken words poured over His dusty feet. Psalms 56:8 says, "You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book." (NLT). Every tear drop falling from her eyes spoke to His heart. The pain from years of being dismissed, polluted and violated. Of the unspeakable heartache and pain, betrayal and hopelessness and finding herself in a place she was despised.

2 Corinthians 7:10 tells us a godly sorrow works repentance but the sorrow of the world lends itself to death. Tears are not always the best indicator a person's heart is sorry over their sin. You may have heard the expression crocodile tears which the person shows insincere emotions but has not truly changed or is remorseful. Many people cry because they were caught in their sins but given another opportunity they would do it again.

For those who desire to cry out to the Lord but battle in their minds because of the voices from culture, family or perhaps because of pride that says it's foolish or shows weakness; we have the example of Christ.

Scripture says, "He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street." (Isaiah 42:2, KJV). Christ endured a difficult trial but He was remarkably silent (Mark 15:5). He could have defended himself and expose their accusations as lies. In fact He could have called upon His Father to dispatch an army of angels to destroy them all.

His silence should not be mistaken for weakness or just shutting down with nothing to say.

Rather His silence was for those who have found themselves voiceless unable to cry out. Psalms 69:3 says, "I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God." (KJV). But we have this promise when we can not cry out and our eyes are dry. Romans 8:26 says, "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans" (NIV).

God wants to heal the eyes of His saints that have been dried for a very long time. He desires to bring us into an intimate place where we cry out and weep for the souls of men and women. As Psalms 84:6 says, "Passing through the valley of Baca [place of weeping] they make it a spring; The early rain also covers it with blessings." (NASB).

Our tears become a blessing for others with dried eyes and wounded hearts!