DECEMBER 12, 2012
The
Trail Of Tears
Read: Revelation
21:1-7
God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more
death, nor sorrow, nor crying. —Revelation
21:4
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 Cor. 1:3-5). 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” (Rev. 21:4).
The
God who offers freedom from tears in the future is the only One
who can fully
comfort our tears now.
Loving Father, thank You that our hurts
and pains matter to You. Thank You for the
promise of an eternity without tears and a
life forever with You. Amen.
When God permits trials, He also provides comfort.
Source:
Our Daily Bread 2012
