The Israelites had such a predictable pattern —
Loving God
↓
Slipping away from Him
↓
Sin
↓
Oppressed by an enemy
↓
Remorse & repentance
↓
God’s deliverance
↓
Return to loving God
↓
Repeat
In the book of Judges there is a repeated phrase: But when they cried out to the Lord, He raised up for them a deliverer.
Perhaps is they cried in God’s presence more often, they cycle could have been broken.
It’s the same for us — instead of using tears as a cure, how about using them as an immunization? How about crying in God’s presence before sin has cruelly oppressed us?
I think if I shed tears over my “little” sins more frequently, it would keep me from much deeper hurts.
The Bible says, “A broken and contrite heart, O Lord, You will not ignore.” Holy Spirit, break my heart over the smallest of sins so I may quickly repent and return before I am enslaved by my sins.
I believe tears call God to our help, but how much better if they are used to immunize us against sin!
Craig T. Owens 