HOSEA 10:5

“The inhabitants of Samaria will fear for the calf of Beth-aven. Indeed, its people will mourn for it, and its idolatrous priests will cry out over it, over its glory, since it has left it.”

You may have been told by your mom or dad to not cry over something. You may have even been told, “I’ll give you something to cry about.” I don’t suggest that either of those statements be used with kids. Crying is okay if it’s for the right reasons. I am a major crier. I cry at Hallmark commercials.

Israel, however, was crying over the wrong stuff. They were crying over the destruction of their pagan altars. They were heartbroken over an idol. Even their “idolatrous priests will cry out over it.” What a scene, what a spectacle. What a misuse of tears.

APPLICATION

Before you go and get all high and mighty, we have done the same. We have cried over things that we have no business crying over. When we lose something that is important to us, we may cry over that. I have known people who totally lost it after misplacing a piece of jewelry. I have known other people who couldn’t control their emotions over a breakup with someone.

We all put too much emphasis on temporal things. We put way too many things above God. He is the only one who deserves our full devotion. When we make anything or anyone an idol in our lives, we turn our attention away from the Lord. Sure, the Lord cares about our losses. He doesn’t want to see us upset and crying. But He also knows that only the eternal is really important.

Let me ask you a question. When is the last time you cried over a lost soul? Do you have friends or family who are lost? Have you cried out for them lately? I pray you have. Those are tears that move the Lord’s heart. Those are tears that can cause change. Now, go grab some tissue.

O Lord, let my tears be tears that move Your heart. I will shed those tears of brokenness over those I long to see come to know You.