Psalm 80:5: You have fed them with the bread of tears, and given them tears to drink in great measure.
Experiencing Jesus in the Psalms
This is one of the most remarkable verses in the Word of God. God has given His people “tears to drink” and tears for their bread—all they had to eat was tears. These are the tears of suffering. No nation has suffered as the children of Israel have suffered—and survived. Most other nations, had they been treated like the Jews, would have been exterminated and would have disappeared from the face of the earth. Israel has been drinking tears down through the centuries. Why? Israel has rejected the Shepherd. When the Lord was here, He beheld the city of Jerusalem and wept over it. On His way to the cross Jesus turned to some of the women in the crowd who were weeping and said, “… Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children” (Luke 23:28). 1
Living the Transformed Life
I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! Romans 11:1
- The tears of heaven fall upon our willful disobedience of our loving Shepherd.
- The tears of heaven fall upon our rejection of His healing grace and guiding truth.
- The tears of heaven fall upon our trials, suffering, and persecution.
All your tears will be wiped away when you finally see your Shepherd, face to face.
Praise and Prayer
Thank You, Father, for never leaving me or forsaking me when my tears were many. Dear Jesus, please help me to embrace Your Word, and obey it immediately.
1. McGee, J. V. (1991). Thru the Bible commentary: Poetry (Psalms 42-89) (electronic ed., Vol. 18, pp. 158–159). Nashville.
