The pain of sorrow is unlike any other. It brings us to our knees. It clouds our vision. It fractures our emotions. It captures every thought, every moment, every sinew, every ounce of strength, and holds our very soul prisoner. Nothing else in this world matters.
We can try to look at the big picture at distant sorrow like the devastating earthquakes of last week which stole Syrian and Turkish lives in instant tragedy. We can be onlookers as the environment of East Palestine, Ohio is destroyed by chemicals and plumes of polluting smoke. We can observe from afar as war demolishes a whole culture in Yemen or Ukraine or floods drown Pakistan or famine decimates Africa.
But when death takes a loved one, whether suddenly or agonizing slow deterioration, it is wrenching because it is oh, so personal. The chair at the table is empty. The book lies unread. The flowers will never reach closed nostrils or the favorite meal sits untouched. Life stops for the deceased, and those left behind die a bit too.
For the Christian, who knows God is sovereign and holds His loved ones in the hollow of His hands, we do not mourn as those without hope. Indeed, we recognize that our loving Father grieved at the treatment of His very own Son who was betrayed, condemned, and died. But, because of that very act of unfathomable love and salvation for us, we can celebrate the life of the loved one who has left earth for a better place if his or her faith believed Jesus Christ is Savior and Lord. There is no condemnation. There is a place of redemption and eternal rest for that person of faith. There is solace. There is peace for those who grieve, and we can say, as Ainsley Earhardt’s new book title proclaims, “I’m So Glad You Were Born!” That life lived remains a blessing of memories to those who remember the laugh, the loving deeds, the favorite flower, the good times, and the wise words of the ones we have loved.
My Psalm 304 “Sorrow”
MY PSALM 303 SORROW
Almighty Father, Creator of all things,
We call upon Your Name in supplication,
For we so need Your Presence this day.
Your Word tells us that the death of Your saints
Is precious in Your sight, and we grieve this day.
We know You loved us enough to sacrifice Your Son
Jesus Christ for us, atonement for our sinful nature.
He willingly left the heavenly realms
Where He counseled in Your Presence,
Was worshiped by angels and saints,
And bathed in the holiness of Your heavenly home.
You saw our need for a Savior, sent Him to live among us,
Where he knew scratchy straw at His birth,
No home, no wealth, no status, a man of sorrows,
Acquainted with grief, scorned, betrayed, murdered
A life untarnished yet sacrificed
So that we could also call You Abba, Father.
With His stripes, we are indeed healed,
And even in this life where hatred and callous indifference
And sin and disease and grief surround us,
Because of His resurrection, we have hope.
Today, be so very close to those who mourn,
Those who bury spouses, fathers, children, siblings.
Those who know the depth of sorrow this day.
We pray Your loving arms to surround and comfort,
We pray Your wisdom will prevail,
We pray in thanksgiving for these loved ones in our lives
And commit them to their heavenly Presence with You,
May bereavement bring us ever closer to You
For only in You can we find a place
Where there will be no more tears, no more sorrow
Because of the atoning work
Of the Son You sent to live among us.
As we walk through this season,
May we meditate on Your Word as never before,
Contemplating Your redemptive message.
May we find cleansing for our sins,
The joy of our salvation, and live as those renewed,
Refreshed, strengthened, and ready to tell of Your mercy
So that others too will know Your Story,
That indeed, good can come out of tragedy and sorrow
Because we see everything
Through the prism of redemption
Through Jesus’ Precious Name. Amen.
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