People from all walks of life go through afflictions every now and then. While some girls and women are privileged to give birth to children, but end up throwing them away in waste bins, there are married women who shed secret tears believing God to get pregnant. Recently, I listened to a woman who was one of the victims of the Catholic Church killings in Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria, lamenting because she is paralyzed and can no longer fend for her family. Many are in the hospitals crying to God to heal them of a terminal disease.
In one of the church services I attended, I listened to a testimony from a man who lost his job, wife and children the same period and was about to commit suicide when God rescued him through a preacher in his neighborhood. Some wives are being battered and tortured by their husbands and all they do is to cry to God for help because they have no other option. This is to confirm what the Bible says: “…the whole world lies in wickedness.” (See 1st John 5:19a) The chief oppressor is Satan, the devil and his agents because the Bible declares that he goes around as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (1st Peter 5:8).
God hears the cries and sees the tears of His children. For this purpose, He sent Jesus Christ to deliver many from all oppressions of the devil.
“How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” (Acts 10:38)
“…For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” (1st John 5:8b)
It is true that God answers word-based prayers and it is common for preachers of the gospel to encourage people who are afflicted to locate the appropriate scriptures to make their request known to God. However, there are moments God intervenes when He hears the cries and sees the tears of His children. A case in point is the Israelis who cried to God to deliver them from the torments of the Egyptians (Exodus 3:7). Another case in the Old Testament is Hezekiah, who cried to God not allow him to die and God extended his life by adding 15 years (Isaiah 38:3-5). Hannah and Bartimeus also cried to God because of the vicissitude of life and God showed them mercy.
Whatever is your issue of concern, remember that God cares for you and feels your pains (1st Peter 5:7). God is interested in ensuring that your life is peaceful (Isaiah 26:3). My prayer for everyone shedding secret tears of pain is that they will begin to shed tears of joy in Jesus’ name. Take that life challenge to God and He will surely come to your rescue. (See James 5:13). It is important to have a relationship with God for Him to hear your cry and see your tears (Isaiah 59:1-2). If you are yet to have a relationship with Him, say this prayer of salvation: Dear Jesus Christ, come into my heart. I believe that You came, died and rose again to save me. I confess that You are my personal Lord and Savior and I declare that I am born again. Wipe away my tears and give me peace from today. Amen!
By Sunday Omori
HEM Int'l 