God with a Kleenex

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” (Revelation 21:4)

Most of us are, understandably, drawn to “these things” that will be gone forever. 

After all, it’s nearly impossible to imagine a day without sorrow, yet we’re promised a sorrowless eternity.

We can’t fathom a week without pain, but one day nothing will ache. Not a tooth, a back, or a head.

We cannot begin to dream of a year with no crying. None. Not over skinned knees, broken friendships, or ended marriages.

Our brains can’t comprehend a season with no death. Old people live forever. Children are never to be buried by their parents.

Indeed, “All of these things are gone forever” in heaven.

Hallelujah!

Yet in the beauty and glory of that image, I wonder if we miss the most staggering thing about that verse. And it is the very first word.

He.

He = God.

God will wipe every tear from your eye.

The King eternal will step from His majestic throne with a heavenly Kleenex and wipe your eyes.

Oh, the intimacy! The tenderness. The touch of the Father’s hand.

My heart aches for that kind of Heavenly Father.

And in the staggering provision of a loving God, we don’t have to wait for heaven.

“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

We can do that today. Right now.

Just have to take our own tissues.