The Trail of Tears is a place here in Kentucky.
The 2,200-mile trail that leads to Mantle Rock, a natural sandstone bridge that over 10,000 Cherokee Indian men, women, and children crossed over; it is said you could hear them cry and also sing as they traveled through the trail of tears.
Here in western Kentucky. The Indians traveled across this massive stone path, forced to leave their homeland. Because of their sorrow, the Cherokee began to cry. Their tears soon covered the ground.
The freestanding arch at the edge of the River is 188 feet long and 30 feet high.
Some Cherokees camped under Mantle Rock for shelter.
The Indian Removal Act of 1830 resulted in the removal of thousands of American Indians from their ancestral lands for new homes in Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma). They traveled by existing roads and rivers. Many groups, hoping to avoid the disease and heat of summer travel, left in the fall and instead faced treacherous winter weather. Many died during the ordeal of the Trail of Tears.
The arch has a tree growing through the 30-foot-tall ceiling in the center of the alcove.
Because of their sorrow, the Cherokee began to cry. Their tears soon covered the ground.
Journaling today about this trail it brought me to the truth of how much our tears matter to the Lord.
God sees your tears.
❤️Psalm 56
Faith in the midst of Fear
The title of this psalm is To the Chief Musician. Set to “The Silent Dove in Distant Lands.”
The Silent Dove in Distant Lands was the tune to which this psalm was sung; it represents a dove in trouble. David sang when the Philistines captured him in Gath. David was alone, desperate, afraid.
Psalm 56:1-2) Looking to the Most High for mercy.
Be merciful to me, O God, for man would swallow me up;
Fighting all day, he oppresses me.
My enemies would hound me all day,
For there are many who fight against me, O Most High.
He cried out with tears to God. His tears do not go unnoticed.
You number my wanderings;
Put my tears into Your bottle;
Are they not in Your book?
When I cry out to You,
Then my enemies will turn back;
This I know, because God is for me.
You put my 💦tears into Your bottle, and you record each one in your book.
There are 100 Bible verses about tears.
The Nature of Trials can lead to tears.
We are precious to God as his children. He wants to refine us just as gold is refined by fire that takes away impurities, just as suffering and affliction refine our faith, which is far more precious than gold.
We must remember that trials are temporary in the scope of eternity, and as you age, you realize each one ultimately has a greater purpose. This does not diminish our suffering and God’s life for us, but let it remind you that we have eternal hope. We have a Living God who hears our cries and saves our tears. We matter, and don’t let the lies of this world lead you otherwise.
Trail vs Trial: The only difference is where you place the i.
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
🎵“Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” is a classic hymn that holds out a promise of Christ’s help for troubled souls. The words were first written by Helen Howarth Lemmel in 1918 and have been translated into many languages worldwide.
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!
For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
Jesus wept.