One of the most cherished promises in the Bible is that, in Heaven, God will wipe away every tear from the eyes of the saved.[1] We might assume these are tears of pain and loss. But could there be more to it?
In Nehemiah 8, the people gathered to hear Ezra and others read and teach God’s Law. But as they listened, something strange happened—the people wept. Surely their weeping was induced by the guilt they felt over their failure as God’s people. But Nehemiah and Ezra exhorted the people, “This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn or weep…And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”[2]
Of all the tears God will wipe away, perhaps the greatest will be the tears of guilt and shame. What a day to look forward to—a day when tears of guilt and shame will be no more as we live in the Holy presence of God!
[1] Revelation 21:4
[2] Nehemiah 8:9-12