If you are suffering bereavement today the Lord knows all about it. He loves you deeply and His Word is comforting. But more than anything, know that He is alongside you at this minute with His hand on yours, silently weeping with you.
John 11:35
Jesus wept.
Queen Victoria heard that the wife of a labourer had lost her baby. Having suffered deep sorrow herself, she wanted to express her sympathy. She called on the bereaved mother and spent time with her. Later, neighbours asked what the queen said. “Nothing,” replied the grieving mother. “She simply put her hands on mine, and we silently wept together.”
Recently the son of good friends of mine passed away. He was only in his early 40s and died alone one night in his sleep. It was a great shock for me. I knew him well. It’s always such a tragedy when a child dies before his parents. His mom and dad were greatly instrumental in my life during a trying crisis many years ago.
When their son died, I wanted to call them and express how sorry I was. I wanted to tell them how much they meant to me and how sad I was at the passing of their youngest. I had so many words to say, but the Holy Spirit prevented me from uttering one word. He led me to send them one simple message saying I was praying for them.
Sometimes words are just inadequate. Words often compound a problem like bereavement. Jesus faced the death of a friend. Lazarus had been ill for some time. His sisters called on Jesus and asked Him to come heal their brother but He delayed in going. Jesus knew that He would raise Lazarus from the dead to the glory of God.
However, Lazarus’ family did not have this insight. When Lazarus died, Jesus did not offer copious words of comfort or meaningless gestures of solace. The account in the Gospel of John says that Jesus knew He would raise Lazarus from the dead yet we see that He was deeply grieved at the family’s loss. Lazarus’ relatives did not understand that Jesus would bring him back to life, yet Jesus did not offer endless words of comfort He merely wept with those who wept.
If you are suffering bereavement today your Lord knows all about it. He loves you deeply and his Word is comforting. But more than anything, know that He is alongside you at this minute with His hand on yours, silently weeping with you.
God-tracking is being consoled by the presence of the Lord
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So, don’t give up, look up and pray.
A prayer for all facing bereavement
I place my faith in Your restoring power and take comfort from Your hand
Dear Lord, thank You so much that You are with me in every situation of life. You are my Comforter, Holy Spirit. I need Your comfort today. Words aren’t enough to help me get through this loss. Your power to love is all the condolence I need.
Thank You for the story about how you simply wept at the grave of Lazarus. I know you weep with me when I weep and rejoice with me when I rejoice. Yet, I know, too, that you have the power to heal and deliver. So, dear Lord, I place my faith in Your restoring power and take comfort from Your hand. Amen.
What is GodTracker?
GodTracker is a weekly e-mail devotional written by Dudley Anderson. The series is based on the premise that God has a plan for our lives and His Word calls us to seek that plan by acknowledging Him in all our ways and by tracking His purposes, in faith.
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If you’d like prayer. Email Dudley Anderson at dudley@surereality.net and he would be happy to pray for you.
Also read: God-tracking is expecting miracles of our God
Dudley Anderson
Originally from South Africa, Dudley Andersen now lives in the UK where he heads up Sure Reality Media and pastors Cornerstone Family Church in Worcestershire. He is married to Karen-Leigh and has two children, Kerryn and Ryan. Dudley has a background in radio and has worked for Radio Pulpit, Impact Radio and Christian Vision. Since 2005 he has produced diverse content for various Christian stations. He is the author of God-Tracking Through the Year and Overflowing Hope and writes a weekly e-mail devotional called, GodTracker. Dudley is also a worship leader.
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