I once found a bottle on the riverbank that contained a little note.
At that time, I was maybe seven or eight years old, and my imagination went wild. A bottle with a secret note. Maybe it was a cry for help, maybe a treasure map, or a love letter.
It turned out to be none of the above. I learned the note was a chain letter, very popular at that time. You had to send a note to ten people asking them to send a note to ten people, and so on. If you didn't comply, the chain was broken, and the guilt was upon you. I didn't like the idea, so I threw the bottle back into the water.
Message in a bottle
Message in a bottle, The Police had a hit with that song, which was released in 1979. Some people keep coins, corks, or sand in a jar, mostly as travel keepsakes.
I believe the idea comes from the Bible. Psalm 56 was written by David; it is a prayer to God. In verse 8, we can read the following:
You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.
I find that a fascinating thought! God knows our every tear; He keeps track of our sorrows. Not because He enjoys our pain, but so that He can bring us comfort and healing.
God comes to the rescue
God responding to tears. That reminds me of the story of King Hezekiah, who became deathly ill. He broke down and wept bitterly. But then the prophet Isaiah came to him with a word from the Lord (2 Kings 20:5):
I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will heal you, and three days from now you will get out of bed and go to the Temple of the Lord.
God, the Creator of the universe, is also the God of details. Every tear, every prayer, every word and thought is known to Him. Yes, even the hairs on our head are numbered. This is the message the Lord has for you today: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears!
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Restore our fortunes, Lord, as streams renew the desert. Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy.
[Psalm 126:4-5]
➤You might enjoy this version of Psalm 126.
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