You keep track of all my sorrows.
Psalms 56:8 (NLT)
You have collected all my tears in your bottle.
You have recorded each one in your book.
We hate to suffer alone, and sometimes we forget that we never suffer alone if we are in Christ. The Psalmist knows that God sympathizes with his people. He remembers our sorrows like entering them in a written ledger, or like collecting tears in a bottle. He is fully aware and doesn’t forget. He saves them up like an investment account and God makes sure they will pay off later. Thus, in the verses after today’s verse he says: “My enemies will retreat when I call to you for help. This I know: God is on my side! I praise God for what he has promised” (Psalms 56:9-10).
Remember that God has actually tasted deep suffering: as the Son he was persecuted and executed. He went beyond sympathy to empathy. He even wept (John 11:35). “This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do” (Heb. 4:15).
And just like his sufferings led to great blessing, so too will our sufferings lead to blessing. He says: “Let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most” (Heb. 4:16, NLT). Even better, God will reward our faith in the next age, and bless us for every good work: “Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do” (Eph. 6:8, NLT).
Therefore, we should take comfort in our trials and suffering, because he cares and promises to give good things to his children.
