Someone asked me recently whether or not God cries. He said knew Jesus had cried while living among us, but He was asking if God still cries now.

That’s a tough question. Scripture, God’s revelation of Himself to us, describes Him as having emotions: sorrow, compassion, anger, joy, grief and others. But God is not controlled or overcome by emotions. And I don’t know of a place in His Word that would suggest that the Almighty sheds tears in heaven.

Let’s consider what the Bible says about God grieving.

Genesis 6:6 The Lord was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain.

1 Samuel 15:11 “I am grieved that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions.”

Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

God grieves over sin. He feels sorrow when people suffer. It hurts Him when people turn away from Him. All this comes from the love that He has for the ones He created, the ones He came down here and rescued by dying in our place. He grieves because He wants only the best for all people, but not all people trust Him and take what He has to offer.

Knowing that God grieves and experiences emotions helps us relate to Him and understand Him. He cares about us and is affected by what we experience.