Perhaps the most encouraging Scripture directly related to the loss of a loved one is found in 2 Samuel 12. It is the episode in which King David faces the pain of his son's death:"But when David saw that his servants were whispering together, David understood that the child was dead. And David said to his servants, 'Is the child dead?' They said, 'He is dead.' Then David arose from the earth and washed and anointed himself and changed his clothes. And he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. He then went to his own house. And when he asked, they set food before him, and he ate. Then his servants said to him, 'What is this thing that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while he was alive; but when the child died, you arose and ate food.' He said, 'While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept, for I said, ‘Who knows whether the Lord will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’ But now he is dead. Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.'”
Two points are worthy of our consideration. The first is the astounding fact that David, when he heard of the passing of his son, chose to immediately enter the house of the Lord and worship. Perhaps he was just following the good example set by Job when he lost all his sons and daughters in a horrific act of providence:
"Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, 'Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.'” (Job 1:20-21)
What courage! What faithfulness! What obedience! What amazing love that these two men, facing their darkest hour, chose to worship God. Scripture doesn't tell us how this was manifested - but it is reasonable to assume that both Job and David gave great thanks to God for their children.
And so we can do the same. While our initial reaction to the death of our loved ones might not have been one of immediate worship, we can surely begin even now. We can express to God our gratitude in allowing us even a short amount of time with the one that has been taken away from us.
They are so worth the pain that we are presently feeling, and though they will not come to us, one day we shall go to to them.
Beautifully written Candy! This one must have been hard for you to write through the tears that must have been filling your eyes. Thanks for sharing the deepest thoughts of your heart with us here in this public place you are able to write with words of comfort and kindness.
ReplyDelete"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." Matthew 5:3,4 DS