Devotion – Tuesday, 19 January
Dear Readers and Listeners, Friends in Jesus Christ,
Our watch word for today is taken from Chapter 61 of the Book of Isaiah, verses 1 and 2, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, to comfort all who mourn.” The last chapters of the Book of Isaiah are prophecies foretelling the return of the exiles from Babylon, the rebuilding of the temple, and renewed worship to God. It is also a foreshadowing of the coming of Christ, who will bring reconciliation between God and the nations of the world. The coming of Christ happened two thousand years ago in Israel. Jesus, in His dwelling on earth opened the eyes of the blind, the ears of the deaf, and brought healing to the sick and broken-hearted. Mourning is a natural reaction in humans to express deep loss. Mourning those who have gone before us is a deeply painful process, for we realize that we will never be able to be with our loved ones on earth, or enjoy their company, as we were used to.
Mourning is a fitting farewell as it helps us to express our deep pain. However, mourning for believers, takes on a different perspective as we view it with the knowledge of heaven and the gift of eternal life. Our mourning will change into gladness once we see our loved ones again, in heaven. Mourning is not only an emotion reserved in the longing and weeping for our departed loved ones. It is also an emotion that weeps for the loss of earthly things that we treasure and attach great value to. Relationships and connectedness are human needs, the loss of these sends people into deep mourning. Health, the use of our senses and our physical powers are important to maintain the lives that we are accustomed to enjoying.
Having a place to stay, feeling the comfort and security of safety, and the assurance of meaningful work; all these aspects of life, contribute to people finding joy, peace and harmony. Having religious and national affiliations, being able to express these and move around in the world, give us the feeling that we are functioning effectively in a relatively harmonious realm. When slowly, but surely, these things are taken away from us – or, when it happens in one foul swoop, as with the Israelites being taken into captivity – the loss of all the known things we value, becomes unbearable. It is in this unbearable time, when we feel absolutely empty and stripped of all things that were important to us, that we find unspeakable comfort in the knowledge that this is not the end. God has not forgotten us; He is still able to save to the uttermost. God shall intervene and change our mourning into gladness, in His good time. Suffering and mourning have meaning; however we don’t understand why it has to be.
Being able to mourn with people, to feel their pain and sorrow, is a blessed gift of empathy, a fruit of the Spirit. It reaches out to those who suffer and sustains them by offering them the hope that is in our Lord, Jesus Christ. He taught in the Sermon on the Mount, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted,” (Matthew 5:4). Our comfort is depicted in the empty grave of Jesus. While his disciples were on their way to pay Him respects in the grave, He had already risen and was busy securing perfect peace and joy for all. The empty grave of Christ is filled with the sublime hope of resurrection and the ceasing of all tears. Christ came to give us life, here on earth, and there in heaven. There will be times in life where mourning and losses will be experienced. These are not to crush us and leave us helpless and hopeless, but to focus our attention on the incredible gift we have, God’s unconditional love given through his Son. We can face our losses and mourning with Him who comforts us and gives us new hope and joy!
Father God, the losses that we suffer in this world grieve us deeply and make us weak and sorrowful. We thank you that you come to us in our deep pain and promise your comfort and hope in times of mourning. We look up to You, our Lord Jesus, Amen.
