The River of Tears: Crying Out to the Lord in Desperation
"Their heart cried unto the Lord, O wall of the daughter of Zion, let tears run down like a river day and night: give thyself no rest; let not the apple of thine eye cease." - Lamentations 2:18
Lamentations 2:18 (KJV) proclaims: “Their heart cried unto the Lord, O wall of the daughter of Zion, let tears run down like a river day and night: give thyself no rest; let not the apple of thine eye cease.” This poignant verse captures the soul’s deep anguish and underscores the importance of crying out to God in moments of despair.
Many of us find ourselves in seasons of sorrow, grief, or overwhelming distress. Life can bring about significant pain through loss, betrayal, sickness, or even the weight of the world’s burdens. In these dark moments, it is easy to feel abandoned or unheard, much like the children of Israel did when they witnessed the destruction of Jerusalem. The prophet Jeremiah, traditionally associated with Lamentations, paints a vivid picture of anguish that resonates with many individuals still today.
The imagery used in this verse is powerful. Here, the hearts of the people are laid bare before the Lord. Their cries are not just casual pleas; they are desperate cries that echo against the walls of Zion. They are imploring God to listen, to see their suffering, and ultimately to show mercy. In this context, calling upon the 'wall of the daughter of Zion' signifies a plea for protection and refuge. The city of Jerusalem, often seen as the dwelling place of God’s presence, becomes a symbol of hope amidst despair.
When we consider the metaphor of the river of tears, we realize the depth of sorrow that has become a continual stream that flows day and night. This is no occasional tear shed here or there. It is an outpouring of grief, an acknowledgment of a profound loss. In our prayer life, how often do we petition God with such incessant desperation? How often do we allow ourselves to feel the depths of our emotions and express them genuinely to the Lord?
When the verse exhorts, "give thyself no rest; let not the apple of thine eye cease," it calls to mind both God's ceaseless attention to our plight and the unwavering love He holds for us. The term "the apple of thine eye" refers to something precious and cherished. God considers us as the apple of His eye, inherently significant and worthy of His attention and love. It reminds us that in our moments of crisis, we are not forgotten; instead, we are deeply cherished and valued in the eyes of our Creator.
Practically, what does this look like for us today? It means we must not shy away from expressing our pain before God. We can be honest about our emotions, laying them bare, leaking out tears much like a river. There is something cathartic about bringing our sorrow before God. This lament is part of the human experience that allows us to both acknowledge our suffering and deepen our relationship with God.
Furthermore, when we cry out to God, we must bear in mind that He hears us. Our pleas do not go unheard. Like a compassionate parent who sees their child in distress, God rushes to our side. He invites our hearts to speak to Him, unfiltered and raw. This moment of vulnerability can transform our prayer life, shifting it from ritualistic requests to honest conversations about where we are and how we truly feel.
In the midst of our darkness, let us remember that every tear we shed is seen and counted by God. Allow the river of tears to flow, and as you do, invite God into the depth of your sorrow. He is our refuge and strength; His love and compassion wrap around us in ways we cannot fathom.
As we navigate through trials, may we continually seek the Lord through our tears, trusting that even in lamentation, He hears our cries and understands our pain. Let us lean on the promise that He sees us as the apple of His eye, transforming our sorrow into hope and our lamentation into praise.
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Lamentations 2:18 Artwork
Lamentations 2:18 - "Their heart cried unto the Lord, O wall of the daughter of Zion, let tears run down like a river day and night: give thyself no rest; let not the apple of thine eye cease."
Lamentations 2:18-19 - "The hearts of the people cry out to the Lord. You walls of Daughter Zion, let your tears flow like a river day and night; give yourself no relief, your eyes no rest. Arise, cry out in the night, as the watches of the night begin; pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children, who faint from hunger at every street corner."
"Their heart cried unto the Lord, O wall of the daughter of Zion, let tears run down like a river day and night: give thyself no rest; let not the apple of thine eye cease." - Lamentations 2:18
"The hearts of the people cry out to the Lord. You walls of Daughter Zion, let your tears flow like a river day and night; give yourself no relief, your eyes no rest. Arise, cry out in the night, as the watches of the night begin; pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children, who faint from hunger at every street corner." - Lamentations 2:18-19
Matthew 2:18 - "In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not."
Lamentations 3:1-18
Lamentations 5:18 - "Because of the mountain of Zion, which is desolate, the foxes walk upon it."
Lamentations 3:18 - "And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the LORD:"
Lamentations 2:1
Lamentations 2:1
Lamentations 2:1
2 Chronicles 35:25 - "¶ And Jeremiah lamented for Josiah: and all the singing men and the singing women spake of Josiah in their lamentations to this day, and made them an ordinance in Israel: and, behold, they are written in the lamentations."
Lamentations 4:18 - "They hunt our steps, that we cannot go in our streets: our end is near, our days are fulfilled; for our end is come."
"In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not." - Matthew 2:18
"Because of the mountain of Zion, which is desolate, the foxes walk upon it." - Lamentations 5:18
Lamentations 5:2 - "Our inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens."
Lamentations 3:2 - "He hath led me, and brought me into darkness, but not into light."
"And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the LORD:" - Lamentations 3:18
Lamentations 1:18 - "¶ The LORD is righteous; for I have rebelled against his commandment: hear, I pray you, all people, and behold my sorrow: my virgins and my young men are gone into captivity."
Ezekiel 2:10 - "And he spread it before me; and it was written within and without: and there was written therein lamentations, and mourning, and woe."
Lamentations 2:5 - "The Lord was as an enemy: he hath swallowed up Israel, he hath swallowed up all her palaces: he hath destroyed his strong holds, and hath increased in the daughter of Judah mourning and lamentation."
Ezekiel 27:2 - "Now, thou son of man, take up a lamentation for Tyrus;"
"He has brought her kingdom and its princes down to the ground in dishonor." Lamentations 2:2
Lamentations 4:2 - "The precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, how are they esteemed as earthen pitchers, the work of the hands of the potter!"
"He has brought her kingdom and its princes down to the ground in dishonor." Lamentations 2:2
2 Samuel 1:17 - "¶ And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son:"
Acts 8:2 - "And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him."
"Our inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens." - Lamentations 5:2
Lamentations 2:12 - "They say to their mothers, Where is corn and wine? when they swooned as the wounded in the streets of the city, when their soul was poured out into their mothers' bosom."
"He hath led me, and brought me into darkness, but not into light." - Lamentations 3:2