Useless tears

I'm studying the book of Isaiah. Let me just tell you some of these chapters are heavy. Several chapters are oracles of destruction and judgment against nations who would not bow to the Lord.

So, today I was reading Isaiah 15. I really like Matthew Henry's commentary. He clarifies so much. Anyway, verse two refers to Moab in their distress. "He has gone up to the temple, and to Dibon, to the high places to weep."

These people were weeping before their false gods. Here's what Matthew Henry says. "It becomes a people in distress to seek to their God; and shall not we then thus walk in the name of the Lord our God, and call upon him in the time of trouble, before whom we shall not shed such useless profitless tears as they did before their gods?"

I couldn't help but be struck by the phrase "useless profitless tears." I've been meditating on it all morning. Partially because I shed a lot of tears just yesterday due to some struggles. And I was struck that most of my tears were useless and profitless. Mainly because they were selfish tears. Pity tears. They accomplished nothing.

And I've been pondering what type of tears would be useful and profitable? Because tears are not bad in and of themselves.

1. Tears of repentance
2. Tears that draw me to the throne of grace
3. Tears over the gospel
4. Tears in prayer to my Heavenly Father

So are my tears useless and profitless or are they useful and profitable? Because, frankly, there will be tears in this life. Matthew states that this life is full of tribulation. If my tears are a part of looking to God for my help and stay, then they profit me. If they are part of looking inward, then they are useless and profitless.

Strange little thing to meditate on, but really thought provoking for me today.