Grief

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Sometimes the news comes quick. Sometimes the news comes slow. No matter how or when it comes, grief travels in the wake of the news. Grief is heavy, weighty, a burden, especially when it involves someone deeply loved. Grief is not meant to be carried alone. It’s too heavy and may last a while—and that’s ok. That’s what family and friends are for, to share the load. Jesus stood outside the tomb of his friend and wept but He did not weep alone. It was a deep, human moment. “ Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted ” (Matt 5:4). If anyone knows how we feel in grief, it’s Him. But His grief did not linger long, as at the mention of his name, Lazarus came forth. We are not meant to dwell in grief, but should leave room enough for it. Let it run its course. Like the song says, “ Every Storm Runs Out Of Rain .” Another song says, “ The storm We will dance as it breaks The storm It will give as it takes And all of our pain is washed away Don't cry or be afraid Some things...

Comforting Words (part 5): The God of All Comfort

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Last time we explored “Three Reasons To Find Comfort In The Trinity.” Paul writes that God is to be praised because our God is the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3) The truth we investigate here is that God receives praise because of Who He is: The God of all comfort!  

The comfort Jesus received while ministering here on earth is the same comfort Paul received during his ministry and is the same we receive today because the Father loves His Son. Listen Zechariah prophesy over his son, John:

“And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." (Luke 1:76-79).

John’s life was explained by the Father of  Mercy. Did you see it? John will do all these things "because of the tender mercy of our God . . ." Realize also how the first mercy ministry of the church is connected to the proclamation of the forgiveness of sins found in Christ. 

 The tender mercy of our God is really plural, "mercies." They are without number:

“I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy.” (Ps 5:7)

“Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the  multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions.” (Ps 51:1)

“Yet in Your manifold mercies You did not forsake them in the wilderness. The pillar of the cloud did not depart from them by day, To lead them on the road; Nor the pillar of fire by night, To show them light, And the way they should go.” (Neh 9:19)

God gives us what we do not deserve. “[Through] the LORD's mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. [They are] new every morning; Great [is] Your  faithfulness.” (Lam 3:22)

I find great comfort to know that His mercy outnumbers, outweighs my sins.

His mercy explains my life. Does it, yours? 

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