We Will Weep No More

A Reflection for Friday, December 5 by Sandra Zamblé

Lectionary reading for 12/8/2025: Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19; Isaiah 30:19-26; Acts 13:16-25; Selected passage for reflection: Isaiah 30:19-26 

Read

Isaiah 30:19-26 

19 People of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you. 20 Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. 21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” 22 Then you will desecrate your idols overlaid with silver and your images covered with gold; you will throw them away like a menstrual cloth and say to them, “Away with you!”

23 He will also send you rain for the seed you sow in the ground, and the food that comes from the land will be rich and plentiful. On that day, your cattle will graze in broad meadows. 24 The oxen and donkeys that work the soil will eat fodder and mash, spread out with fork and shovel. 25 In the day of great slaughter, when the towers fall, streams of water will flow on every high mountain and every lofty hill. 26 The moon will shine like the sun, and the sunlight will be seven times brighter, like the light of seven full days, when the Lord binds up the bruises of his people and heals the wounds he inflicted.

Reflect

Have you ever cried so hard, or felt so discouraged that you wondered if the feeling of deep, deep sadness would ever go away? Maybe you thought that you would just never be able to stop crying, for the pain was so deep. As children, the comforting arms of a parent or a caring adult can help to steady us and reassure us that even if we didn’t feel okay, we would be okay eventually. As adults, a touch on the shoulder, a gentle squeeze of a hand over the hand, a shoulder to lean on or arms outstretched to offer comfort can do wonders to provide compassion and a safe place to weep, grieve, and lament. In these uncertain times, we are in no less need of reassurance that things will be okay. 

As we approach Advent, many of us are experiencing a mixture of emotions. Some are excited, but many are fearful of the future, grieving losses of relationships and special loved ones. Some of us are facing very challenging circumstances and/or are suffering and in deep emotional and/or physical pain. We may feel desolate, disappointed, and disillusioned. We reach out for help, but people are unavailable or dismissive. Against the backdrop of the exciting news of the Savior, born to bring light to a dark world, some of us harbor the additional feeling of guilt on top of sadness. We say to ourselves, “How can I feel this way? The Lord is come! And yet…I feel so sad and broken in this broken world. Where do I find relief? 

BUT, the Word of God comes to us as a ray of light into dark thoughts and circumstances. He reminds us that He sees our sadness, He hears our cry, He is a witness to the desolation in our lives and the need for provision and direction, comfort, consolation, and peace. Jesus, the Light of the World, proclaims through His birth that joy and peace, that only come from Him, are within our reach. When we “cry for help,” He will be gracious, He will answer our prayers, and give direction: “THIS is the way, walk in it.” No more confusion! No more weeping! We receive the promise! Hallelujah!

Respond

As you read this passage, read it three times and open your heart to whatever longings, fears, or desires you have. Let the thoughts and feelings come forth in safety and trust, utter them aloud, and/or in a journal. Write out a line or two: Lord, I trust you, or I desire to trust you. Help me when I am feeling ________________.”

Rest

Lord, I come to you now, in full honesty of where I am with you. Your promise to me is that one day, I will weep no more. You will heal my wounds and bruises. I surrender my wounds and lay them at your feet. Help me to lean upon you. Lord, and receive the comfort only you can give. In your most Holy Name. Amen.

About the Author

Sandra Zamble is a certified Spiritual Director. Sandra works full-time as an elementary ESL Resource teacher. Sandra serves in her church as an intercessor and lay soul-care provider. Sandra is the wife of an elder and has three young adult children. Sandra loves creative outlets such as singing, drama, and poetry. She is passionate about God’s justice and compassion and is humbled and joyful about holding space for those seeking to enter into spiritual conversations of that nature and listening with them, for the ever-present movement of God.