I See Your Sorrows
Mary Wilder Tileston's sermon emphasizes God's deep understanding of both visible and invisible sorrows, offering comfort to those in pain.
Mary Wilder Tileston, preaching from Exodus 3:7, delves into the different layers of sorrow experienced by individuals. She distinguishes between visible sorrows, secret sorrows that can be shared with close ones or poured out to God, and the deepest sorrows that remain unspoken and can only be laid before God silently. Tileston emphasizes God's omniscience in acknowledging all forms of sorrow, from the external to the most hidden depths of pain.
Text
And the Lord said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows.
Exodus 3:7
THOU knowest, Lord, the weariness and sorrow
Of the sad heart that comes to Thee for rest;
Cares of today, and burdens for tomorrow,
Blessings implored, and sins to be confessed;
I come before Thee at Thy gracious word,
And lay them at Thy feet,-Thou knowest, Lord.
JANE BORTHWICK
THAT sorrow which can be seen is the lightest form really, however apparently heavy; then there is that which is not seen, secret sorrows which yet can be put into words, and can be told to near friends as well as be poured out to God; but there are sorrows beyond these, such as are never told, and cannot be put into words, and may only be wordlessly laid before God: these are the deepest. Now comes the supply for each: "I have seen" that which is patent and external; "I have heard their cry," which is the expression of this, and of as much of the external as is expressible; but this would not go deep enough, so God adds, "I know their sorrows," down to very depths of all, those which no eye sees or ear ever heard.
F. R. HAVERGAL
Sermon Outline
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I
- Understanding visible sorrows
- The burden of external afflictions
- God's awareness of our struggles
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II
- The nature of secret sorrows
- Sharing burdens with friends and God
- The importance of expressing our pain
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III
- The depth of unexpressed sorrows
- God's intimate knowledge of our hearts
- Finding solace in God's understanding
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IV
- The promise of God's presence
- The assurance of divine comfort
- Responding to God's call for rest
Key Quotes
“I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“THAT sorrow which can be seen is the lightest form really, however apparently heavy.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“God adds, 'I know their sorrows,' down to very depths of all, those which no eye sees or ear ever heard.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
Application Points
- Take time to express your sorrows to God in prayer, knowing He understands your pain.
- Reach out to friends and loved ones to share your burdens, fostering deeper connections.
- Find solace in the knowledge that God knows your deepest sorrows, even those unspoken.