1 Cor. 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
“Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?” — Psalm 56:8 (KJV)
A pressing issue on social media right now is the quiet struggle of hidden loneliness and disconnection. Despite constant digital connectivity, notification alerts, and endless follower counts, more people than ever feel unseen, isolated, and exhausted by surface-level interactions. Social media often creates a “hall of mirrors” where everyone looks busy and surrounded by community, making those who feel lonely assume they are the only ones struggling.
We live in the most “connected” era in human history, yet isolation is at an all-time high. It is entirely possible to scroll past hundreds of updates, reply to dozens of comments, and still go to bed feeling completely unknown. Online spaces give us the illusion of fellowship, but they rarely offer the depth, vulnerability, and genuine care that our souls were designed to receive. We trade rich, life-giving communion for quick interactions, leaving us spiritually malnourished and emotionally distant from the people around us. The Scriptures speak often about this very topic:
Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.”
Genesis 2:18 “And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.”
Proverbs 27:17“Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”
Ecclesiastes 4:12“And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”
Hebrews 10:24–25“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
When loneliness creeps in, the enemy often whispers that no one notices, no one cares, or that something is wrong with you for feeling left out. Seeing the highlighted, perfect lives of others can make us feel as though everyone else belongs while we remain on the outside looking in. But God’s Word paints a very different picture of how He relates to us. David reminds us in Psalm 56 that God tracks every single one of our heartaches – He counts our tears and remembers our quiet burdens. He is not a distant observer scrolling through our lives; He is intimately present in our pain.
You are never invisible to God. Long before social media taught us to seek validation through views, comments, and likes, your Creator looked at you with total, very personal “knowing.” He created us for real connection – first with Him, and then with the Body of Christ. We all need “Jesus with skin on.” When digital spaces leave you feeling empty or disconnected, turn your focus away from the crowd and back to the One who knows your name, sees your heart, and promises never to leave nor forsake you.
This realization should also transform how we interact with others who are silently hurting around us. Rather than settling for passive digital thumbs-up or brief comments, God calls us to step out in intentional love. A simple phone call, a hand-written note, or a quiet moment spent face-to-face can be the very avenue God uses to remind a weary soul that they are not forgotten. During my morning devotions, I keep a post-it note beside me. As I pray and read, if the Lord brings a name comes to mind, I quickly jot it down for later. Afterwards, I reach out to that person or send them a card. Ask the Lord to use you in this way and He will!
Prayer:
Lord, in a world full of noise and crowds, my heart sometimes feels deeply lonely and unseen. Forgive me for seeking comfort or identity in the approval and presence of others online rather than resting in Your presence. Thank You for knowing every detail of my life and for counting every tear. Help me to anchor my heart in Your deep love, and give me the grace to step out and build genuine, Christ-centered relationships with those around me. In Jesus’ precious and Holy Name I pray, Amen.
In my grief for my own wayward son, the Lord spoke to my heart. He spoke to me through a recent message that I heard where the Pastor pointed out that we should be telling the world what we are learning, and not what we have learned. I definitely learned a lot in the past eighteen months as I grieved the loss of my prodigal son. However, I stopped there! I didn’t realize that I could continue learning how to deal with this until the Lord impressed upon me to write this devotional series! There are definitely many different facets of this ever-changing “diamond in the rough”! Each situation that the mothers shared with me gave me another view from life’s “pie.” In your mind’s eye, if you place an entire pie on the table and cut it up into equal shares, you will understand what I mean. Now stand in front of the first piece and look across the room and do this for every piece of pie. The view you see will be slightly different than the previous view. Everyone looks at their prodigal trial with blinders on. That’s not wrong, but there are quite a few different views being experienced by countless mothers out there. Each perspective adds depth to the experience, allowing us to gather insights that may have otherwise escaped our notice. When you lean in and listen to one another’s stories, you begin to see how universal themes of love, pain, and hope intertwine in the lives of these mothers. The emotions run deep, and through this shared journey, bonds are formed as hearts connect in ways that words often cannot fully express. I pray that this series will speak to the heart of at least one mother, offering encouragement and reassurance that they are not alone in this challenging chapter of their lives.
I reached out to mothers on an online group that I’m a part of and asked them to share their ideas on this very topic. I never realized how many different scenarios there are for our wayward children. Today’s will be about mothers that have children who have gone the way of the world into deep sin and now will not communicate because they know the parents disagree. They also take it a step further and create lies that fit the scenario in order to justify their position. This can cover a number of sins from homosexuality to drug addiction. But according to James 2:10, sin is sin and all of it is a putrid smell to the Lord. That is why He sent His Son to die for those sins. The poor mother who has to live through this type of scenario! How many tears have been shed? Countless, I’m sure. She wonders what she did wrong to have her child turn out this way. The Lord knows each and every tear you have shed, dear mother!
Psalm 69:3 I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God.
Psalm 56:8 Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?
Oh, how I cry out Psalm 69:3 as I continue to walk through my trial!! Let’s face it ladies, the Lord has recorded many of our tears! He knows exactly what we are walking through, each moment of pain and heartache meticulously noted in His loving memory. In times of difficulty, when our spirits feel weary and our hearts burdened, it’s comforting to remember that we are not alone in our struggles. God sees our struggles and understands the depth of our sorrow, assuring us that every tear we shed holds significance in His eyes. As we travel along these challenging paths, may we find solace in the knowledge that our Savior walks beside us, bringing healing and hope even in the midst of the storms of life.
I believe the prodigal children who don’t speak to you because they know you will disagree with their sin know deep down that they are sinning. They are often aware of the moral implications of their choices, even if they choose to ignore them in favor of immediate gratification or temporary relief. They do not want to be held accountable according to Scripture, nor do they want to be reminded that they are sinning, as this would require them to confront the uncomfortable truths about their actions and reconsider their paths. This inner conflict can lead to avoidance and denial. They are accountable for their own sins, and they will be dealt with by the Holy Spirit in the same manner we were dealt with when we came to the realization that we needed salvation. The process that leads to salvation can often involve moments of discomfort and reflection that challenge our current beliefs and actions. It is through this Holy Spirit guidance that they may find their way back, leading to healing and restoration, not just for themselves but also for those they have distanced themselves from.
As for the lies that have been spread against the parents, it has been my experience that there is nothing that you can do to stop them. Each one that has heard those lies will either not believe them or will believe the wayward child. Trying to intercede and correct the lies will fall on deaf ears or create further problems. It is best to leave it to the Lord and wait for Him to open the door. You can then deal with the lies as they are personally brought to your attention. It’s God’s timing that is of the utmost importance. When we meddle in His business, we may be hindering the work of the Holy Spirit. Instead, trust God’s Word when He says:
Psalm 31:18-19 Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous. (19) Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!
This prodigal child will have quite the testimony when he finally comes to Christ, and it will be a powerful story of redemption that inspires others. The faithful praying mother, who has poured her heart and soul into interceding on behalf of her child, will have her prayers answered one day in a way that brings her immense joy and peace. We can hold tightly to the promises found in Proverbs 22:6, which assure us that the seeds we have sown in faith will bear fruit in due time. Together, as a family, we did our best to teach our children the ways of the Lord, instilling in them values rooted in faith and love. I truly believe that God, in His infinite wisdom and grace, will honor our efforts by giving our children ample opportunities to be saved and restored, guiding them gently back to His open arms where they will feel His unconditional love and forgiveness!
Don’t give up! Keep praying! It may not happen tomorrow or next year, but it will happen. I have heard from mothers who have waited years, and the healing is starting to happen!
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice evermore. (17) Pray without ceasing. (18) In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
The Apostle Paul encourages us to rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing and give thanks for everything. Wow Paul, you don’t ask for much, do you?! Do you notice that the rejoicing occurs before the praying and giving thanks? How can we possibly do that? We can do that by rejoicing at our salvation and the Great God who provided that salvation! What more do we need? The same God who supplies salvation and keeps it without failing, can restore your family. How? By praying and giving thanks in everything! I understand how we can pray, Paul, but how do we give thanks for this trial? It is through this trial that you and I will learn to trust God more deeply. Hasn’t each trial you’ve been through turned out for the glory of God? It is through this same trial that we find ourselves scootching in closer to His side than ever before, thus receiving that comfort we so need! As we live life’s ups and downs in our challenges, we realize that they lead us to a greater understanding of God’s unwavering love and support. He’s the same yesterday, today and tomorrow; therefore, He never changes in His love and support. (Hebrews 13:8) We may begin to see that there are lessons hidden in our struggles, shaping our character and bringing us greater resilience. Therefore, we give thanks in everything, even when the circumstances seem bleak, because we know that it will be according to His will. His faithfulness can be depended on so there’s no need to fear! That’s a LOT to be thankful for, isn’t it? Even during the darkest moments, His light shines through someone He has sent to encourage you; you know, that “Jesus with skin on,” to remind us that God is watching! There are so many things God does to remind us that we are never alone on this journey, and that His plans for us are always for our good and especially for His glory.
1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
Storms come and go; some leaving a path of destruction while others provide some much-needed rain. What about the storms of life? Unfortunately, we live in a fallen world where sin’s effects are everywhere. No one is exempt from trials and storms, I’m afraid. For me, the storms that involve family are the hardest to deal with. They cut to the heart, and produce many tears. It makes me think of:
Psalm 56:8 Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?
That word “tellest” speaks volumes to me. The Hebrew word is:
סָפַר sâphar saw-far’ A primitive root; properly to score with a mark as a tally or record, that is, (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively to recount, that is, celebrate: – commune, (ac-) count, declare, number, + penknife, reckon, scribe, shew forth, speak, talk, tell (out), writer.
The Lord is not deaf, Reader! He hears every cry for help, every plea; yes, He hears even the slightest whisper of despair. Every single tear is recorded and kept in a bottle and recorded in His book! That literally means your tears will not go unnoticed!
Psalm 34:17 The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
The Father will deliver me out of all my troubles. He may not deliver me out of my trouble at that very moment. There may be a lesson in its midst that I need to learn. There may need to be time for all parties involved to learn as well. We cannot control the timing, but we can control how we deal with the storm.
Lam 3:25-26 The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. (26) It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.
Wait on God to work out the details in your storm. Give Him time and don’t try to jump the gun. Hope and quietly wait for the Lord to bring your storm to an end. I hope today’s hymn is a blessing to you!
Till the Storm Passes By – By Mosie Lister
In the dark of the midnight have I oft hid my face, While the storm howls above me, and there’s no hiding place. ‘Mid the crash of the thunder, Precious Lord, hear my cry, Keep me safe till the storm passes by.
Refrain: Till the storm passes over, till the thunder sounds no more, Till the clouds roll forever from the sky; Hold me fast, let me stand in the hollow of Thy hand, Keep me safe till the storm passes by.
Many times Satan whispered, “There is no need to try, For there’s no end of sorrow, there’s no hope by and by” But I know Thou art with me, and tomorrow I’ll rise Where the storms never darken the skies.
When the long night has ended and the storms come no more, Let me stand in Thy presence on the bright peaceful shore; In that land where the tempest, never comes, Lord, may I Dwell with Thee when the storm passes by.
The Lord refines His children. He shapes and molds them by using these storms. It’s very much like going to the gym. You don’t see immediate results but as time goes on, you can see those results. Our spiritual lives need exercise: a storm comes into your life; you immediately turn to the Lord for help; you read your Bible and wait for answers; repeat until the storm passes by.
If you are not a born-again child of God, you cannot go through these storms expecting peace. You will be surrounded by turmoil and anxiety. However, it is not what God wants for you. He wants you to come to Him with all your cares.
Mat 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (29) Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (30) For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
If you wish to be born again, click on this link and it will guide you through the Scriptures to show you how.
There are times where I have been so deep in sorrow that I asked God this same question. I’m sure I’m not alone and those of you who are reading this have or are going through this same thing. My mind races with thoughts revolving around my problem. Surely God does not want this daughter to be overcome with despair and grief!
I am encouraged by the account of Hagar because I see God’s hand in her life. He hears her cries and actually sees her. The Creator of the universe has time to see a woman pouring her heart out; that means He has the time for me. He hears me – He sees me. It’s hard to comprehend, isn’t it?
The Lord sees my pain and He hears my cries for my prodigal son to return. He hears your cries when your body is wracked with pain! Each tear that we shed is preserved in His book, and so are yours! He knows each struggle, each pain, and each battle.
(Psa 56:8) Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?
As in Hagar’s case, there is nothing wrong in crying out to the Lord with our problems. He knows our needs even before we ask (Matthew 6:8); He hears us, and He sees us. He is not some faraway being portrayed as a puppeteer as some claim. He is God Almighty, and nothing is too hard for Him.
(Genesis 18:14) Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.
(Jeremiah 32:17) Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:
(Jeremiah 32:27) Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?
When Joshua was commissioned by God to lead his people, God told him exactly what He was going to do for him.
Jos 1:5-9 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. (6) Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. (7) Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. (8) This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. (9) Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
As Christians, we can glean from Joshua’s commission because we can see that God is in every aspect of Joshua’s life. Just as He was with Hagar, so is He with us. What is your struggle, reader? Does it seem hopeless, overwhelming, and insurmountable? God shines in those situations! He may not remove your burden, but He will help you carry it.
Beneath the cross of Jesus I fain would take my stand, the shadow of a mighty Rock within a weary land; a home within the wilderness, a rest upon the way, from the burning of the noontide heat and the burden of the day.
Upon the cross of Jesus mine eye at times can see the very dying form of One who suffered there for me: and from my stricken heart with tears two wonders I confess, the wonders of redeeming love and my unworthiness.
3 I take, O cross, thy shadow for my abiding place: I ask no other sunshine than the sunshine of his face; content to let the world go by, to know no gain nor loss; my sinful self my only shame, my glory all the cross.
ELIZABETH C. CLEPHANE
The History Behind the Hymn
I never heard of Elizabeth Clephane until I did the research on this hymn. Of course, I knew the hymn but knew nothing about its author. What a blessing to read of her life! She is in the same company as a few of my friends who are undergoing the same frail health.
Elizabeth Cecilia Douglas Clephane was born in Scotland in 1830 and died in 1869. The daughter of a county sheriff, she lived most of her brief life near Edinburgh.
Though in frail health most of her life, Elizabeth found the strength to help the poor and sick in her town. She and her sister gave all that they could spare to charity including, it is said, selling their horse and carriage for the benefit of the needy. The townspeople of Melrose referred to Elizabeth as “the Sunbeam.”
“Beneath the cross of Jesus,” focusing on the shelter of the cross, was first published three years after the author’s death in 1872 under the title “Breathings on the Border,” perhaps a double entendre referring to a geographical location near Melrose, the Scottish Borders, and a reference to the border between life and death.
Originally five stanzas, another omitted stanza, perhaps autobiographical, provides further insight into the comfort that the writer found in the shadow of the cross and the inspiration that the cross gave her as she anticipated her own death:
There lies beneath its shadow, but on the further side, the darkness of an open grave that gapes both deep and wide; and there between us stands the cross, two arms outstretched to save, like watchman set to guard the way from that eternal grave.
Isa 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
When the realization hits as to why Christ came to earth and what He did for me, my heart was broken. Someone else took my punishment!
Why would the Lord do this for me? With my finite mind, there is no way I can comprehend the mind of God. But what I can comprehend is His Word. The Scriptures tell us of His love (John 3:16), and that His mercy is new every single morning (Lamentations 3:22-23)! There is balm to be had for the deepest wounds!
Upon the cross of Jesus mine eye at times can see the very dying form of One who suffered there for me: and from my stricken heart with tears two wonders I confess, the wonders of redeeming love and my unworthiness.
Message for today
The moment I meditate on God’s redeeming love, and my unworthiness of His saving grace, my heart is stricken with the same tears as Elizabeth’s. How many tears have been shed for the same reasons? Each one of those tears is recorded in Heaven. (Psalm 56:8) Every heartache, every tear of joy, every tear shed when I lost someone dear, is known by my Heavenly Father!
Are you hurting today, Reader? Have you spent half the night crying? Are you in the same ill health as Elizabeth? If you are born again, your Father knows all about it. He is there to apply that balm to your distraught heart. Will He remove your sickness or problem? I don’t know. But what I do know is that He will provide you with the strength to live through each and every day.
But if you are not born again, it’s time you find forgiveness and peace at the foot of the cross of Jesus. He stands waiting to hear from you. It is there you will find peace for your soul! (Matthew 11:28-30)
Pro 15:29 The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
The Lord hears your prayer when you turn to Him with a repentant heart and ask His forgiveness. Invite Him into your life – make a decision to follow Him every day. He hears the prayers of His children. If you do not get saved, the verse above says that He is far from you. Do not be far, Reader. Turn to Him before it’s eternally too late.
If you are not truly born-again, there is coming a time when it will be too late for you to repent and be saved. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
