Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- August 7, 2012
“But You, God, see the trouble of the afflicted; You consider their grief and take it in hand. The victims commit themselves to You; You are the helper of the fatherless.” Psalm 10:14
Grief is a God given emotion that processes sorrow related to a loss. It can be the loss of a loved one to death or the death of a vision. Loss associated with finances, health, a pet, a job, divorce or relocation contributes to extended sorrow. Moreover, nations grieve corporately over war, mass murder by a maniac, and the death of a revered national leader. Grief calls for a pause to pray and reflect on what’s important. Sorrow seeks out a Savior.
Heaven’s desire is to fill the hole in our hearts with hope. Indeed, sorrow slows us down to meditate on what really matters: Jesus, family, friends, spiritual, physical and emotional health, church, fellowship, evangelism, discipleship and God’s game plan for our lives. Grief gets us to God, so that we take Him seriously. The spiritually serious are eventually able to smile. Our mourning turns into trust in Christ and He is able to restore our joy and hope.
“Have I not wept for those in trouble? Has not my soul grieved for the poor?” Job 30:25
In addition there is an indirect grief associated with those who have suffered great loss. Perhaps our heart aches over the atrocities suffered by extreme poverty—masses unprotected from disease, who are ravished by malnutrition. Those who seek to live off a dollar a day clearly comprehend no promise of tomorrow. It is good for God’s people to get worked up over those who need work. We grieve, so out of our comfort in Christ we comfort and serve those stuck in sorrow.
Ultimately, you have the privilege to point hurting hearts to their Savior, Jesus. An aching soul needs Almighty God to bind up their broken spirit and heal their bleeding hearts. You are heaven’s vessel of hope, grace and love. Use the loss of another to lovingly lead them to their Lord. Their loss is God’s gain. What anguish empties, faith fills. You serve emotional and physical needs, so that they will embrace their spiritual needs. Grief needs God.
“My eyes are dim with grief. I call to You, Lord, every day; I spread out my hands to You.” Psalm 88:9
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I need You to fill my heart with hope, as it grieves a great loss.
Related Readings: Psalm 31:9; Proverbs 14:13; John 16:5-7; 20-22; 1 Peter 1:6
Post/Tweet this today: Anguish empties a heart, but faith fills it with hope. #hope
Click on the free download “How to Have a Quiet Time”… http://bit.ly/KWDrkJ
Comments are closed.
Thank you, this is very special to me.
Thank you,
Geraldine Williams
Yesterday would of been my daughters 26th birthday! She’s been gone almost 6 years. Not a day goes by that the aching in my heart is not present but as I lean on Jesus it becomes bearable. Thank You for these devotions they almost always speak right to where I am at!!! God Bless
My biological father has been sporatically in and out of my life since he left my mom and I when I was 2. I am 35 and have been struggling with this loss of that father. After going through emotions of hurt, anger, sadness, loss, and “why doesn’t my dad want me?”, my gram reminded me that God always loves me. I prayed a lot to help me deal with this, and God answered my prayers…I not oly have a wonderful stepdad, whom I call daddy, but just recently, when my biological father let me down again, his oldest brother stepped up, came to visit me (we live 5 states away) and said “babygirl, I will be your dad….I will fill his shoes…I want that job.” How blessed can I get? A great stepdad and my “uncle papa”? God is truley amazing!
Melody thanks for sharing your story. How beautiful that the Lord sent your uncle and step father to step up in your father’s place. My dad left when I was 5, so I can relate. Fortunately, I have been blessed with mentors along the way that have filled in my dad’s shoes. Our heavenly Father is so faithful!
A servant for Jesus,
Boyd