Matthew 5:4 ; 2 Corinthians 7:8-10 ; Psalms 51:14-17 ; Zechariah 12:10
Death, the notification no one can ever be ready for. It’s a burden that weighs heavily on us. Even though there lies a promise ahead of reuniting with the loved ones we lost (because death to the saints is a graduation from one glory to a greater glory), it doesn’t make it easier. Navigating life without loved ones becomes the hardest when we imagine how the gaps they left behind are being filled and how we are sometimes prone to feeling the guilt that comes from moving on.
Last year, November, we Iost a friend, a childhood friend of mine who was a daughter, a sister, a wife and a mother. Even though death still pierces regardless of the circumstances leading to it, you will have to admit that road carnages that lead to death leave behind a lot of questions ;the suddenness of it together with the question of whether the drivers adhered to road safety regulations and while we struggle to grasp the circumstances, the pain remains and it isn’t lessened even in the pursuit of answers we so often think we need. Why? Some questions can never have satisfactory answers and are better left unasked and like Job puts it, who are we that we would dare take God to court? (Job 9:32). All we are left to do is to share in the comfort of those who have lost (Romans 12:15) ; as we equally process our own grief, just like I did . I have had losses in my life, by reason of death too, but none has ever been as sudden as this was. She died with her husband and they left behind two young children and just writing about it now feels like a trip back. But God, in His love and mercy continues to offer peace and comfort.
During this period, I learnt that as much as God is the God of comfort, I have to be willing to receive the comfort He extends to me. There are two responses to any grief ; living in denial and being angry at God or running to Him to embrace you and let His comfort flood your heart. I choose the latter while keeping in remembrance that this comfort will only be effective if I receive it.
God doesn’t ask us dumb down our pain but invites us to be comforted by Him. He is the Father of all comfort. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). In this context, while it is granted God offers comfort during death, loss, disappointment, there is a deeper invitation to mourn over the things that bring sorrow to God’s heart.
“Break my heart for what breaks yours” Hillsong sung and what breaks the heart of God is sin having dominion over our lives yet Christ paid the price for it to grant us freedom. (Romans 6:10; Romans 6:22). Christ is inviting us to mourn over sin, to be sorrowed by the filth that is in us and to repent of it. The more we mourn our sin (its detestability) , our need, pain and loss, the more we can look to the promise of God’s forgiveness, comfort and renewal. Godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation (2 Corinthians 7:10) and that is the sorrow we are to embrace as we allow God to love us through chastening.
As a result, we as a mirror beholding his glory through righteous living can be transformed into the same image from glory to glory by His spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18) Living free from the hold of sin for we should be holy just as He is holy (1 Peter 1:16)
WHO MOURNS?
You. Me. We all do. Grief is grief and each of us feels it differently but the deepest form of grief is the grief over sin; the grief over the realization of how our fallen state continues to try to broaden the gap between us and God (Romans 3:23) . It is said that the sorrow in this case is the godly reaction of poverty of spirit upon our recognition of our dependence on the father and the true reality that we can do nothing of ourselves to stand/ lead holy lives. It is being sorrowed by not only the consequences/effects of sin which involve separation from God now and eternal damnation that awaits but also being sorrowed by the sin itself.
(Zechariah 12:10) highlights the effect that would arise in the hearts of the inhabitants of Jerusalem upon the recollection and remembrance upon seeing Jesus who was pierced for their sake. Our living should always be in view of the cross and it’s effect, only then can we mourn over our sins.
Those are God’s mourners, who live a life of repentance, who lament the corruption of their nature, and their many actual transgressions, and God withdrawing from them; and who, out of regard to God’s honour, mourn also for the sins of others, and sigh and cry for their abominations.
WHERE DO WE FIND THIS COMFORT?
Comfort is found in the God that promises forgiveness because He is faithful and just (1 John 1:9) and allows us to live free of condemnation (Romans 8:1). It is found in the God who does not despise a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart . David’s case with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11) and his reaction to it is the purest example of godly repentance that we see through the lens of Psalms 51 as David cries out to God (Psalms 51:1-4)
“As the deepest poverty lies in the sphere of the spirit, so the deepest mourning lies there also.” Pulpit
The comfort comes from receiving forgiveness and restoration; this comfort is a comfort that allows one to enjoy salvation
Let us grow into the space of grieving over our sins ; not resigning to it, that we may enjoy comfort and be moulded into vessels of honor that give God praise. God loves a repentant heart.
You are light and you are so loved. Stay anchored and keep His light shining through.
Why am I even crying ?????
May I grow into the space of grieving over my sins and not resigning to it.?
Thanks so much dear,this is an awesome exegesis.♥️♥️
Let us not cry haha
I know why
We shall not resign to sin.
Thank you for your consistent feedback dear.
❤❤❤