The heart knows its own bitterness,
And a stranger does not share its joy.—Proverbs 14:10
At first glance this verse seems like a very sad commentary on life in this fallen world. No one on this earth can’t really share my joy nor feel my sorrow. Both my suffering and my rejoicing at their very deepest level is personal and private. They are both mine to bear.
For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him?—1 Corinthians 2:11a
(That is not to say that we shouldn’t rejoice with the those who rejoice and weep with those who weep as Romans 12 exhorts us. In fact, Galatians 6 reminds us that we are to bear one another’s burdens and in so doing fulfill the law of Christ.)
I say all of this not to bring my reader to despair but to make my point. Whether people understand our sorrow or our joy is of no real consequence because our God does! He not only understands...He considers them and bears them!! Jesus brought His greatest earthly sorrow to His Father in Heaven and surrendered it into His care at Gethsemane. Yes, He asked that the disciples remain awake and pray with Him, but despite their regard for Jesus, they could not stay awake with Him even for an hour. Solomon also alludes to this in His prayer of dedication when the Ark was brought into the temple.
whatever prayer, whatever supplication is made by anyone, or by all Your people Israel, when each one knows his own burden and his own grief, and spreads out his hands to this temple: 30 then hear from heaven Your dwelling place, and forgive, and give to everyone according to all his ways, whose heart You know (for You alone know the hearts of the sons of men),—2 Chronicles 6:29-30
Psalm 139 tells us that our God knows everything about us, and Colossians 2 reminds us that we are complete in Him. Beloved, the Lord is our Shepherd, in Him, we have everything we need. He is our refuge and our strength. A very present help in trouble.
Trust in Him at all times, you people;
Pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah—Psalm 62:8
