Category Archives: Grief

Trouble in Perspective

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

King David, wrote:

“For the enemy has pursued my soul; he has crushed my life to the ground; he has made me sit in darkness like those long dead. Therefore my spirit faints within me; my heart within me is appalled. I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands. I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land” (Psalm 143:3-6).

The Christian life is not always one of emotional joy. There are times when we can descend into the depths of depression, be overcome by circumstances, or succumb to grief. We don’t always walk around with a smile on our face. This life often includes pain. So, how should we respond when life deals with us harshly? David provides some answers in Psalm 143.

David endured persecution from the members of his own family. His son, Absalom, sought to over throw his father and annoint himself as king. Early on, while serving King Saul, David’s life was threatened by the very king he served. Because of his sin with Bathsheba, the son born out of this adulterous union died. David was acquainted with sorrow.

The advice David gives is “remember the days of old.” Think back on God’s faithfulness to you. Let your thoughts dwell on all the things God has done. Which is harder for God; seeing you through tough circumstances or delivering you from hell? God is all powerful (omnipotent), so nothing is too difficult for Him. However, from our perspective the greater deed was in the forgiveness of our sins. If God can forgive our sins, can he not see us through the worst of circumstances?

When we feel like we’re at the end of our rope, that is precisely when we need to contemplate the faithfulness of God.  We need to turn our heart towards Him regardless of how we feel.

God causes all things to work together

Last evening, at 10:00 PM, my peaceful evening was shattered by a dreadful phone call. A member of our church, and a dear sister in Christ, passed away suddenly. Our church is not a large one, so an event like this quickly sent shock waves through our fellowship. As a few of us sat in the living room with the surviving husband, we keenly felt his grief. We were grieving ourselves, but nothing like the grief of a spouse who has lost their mate. When I came home my thoughts turned to how our church family would take this news at worship this morning. Providentially, we had a guest speaker from ARBCA (Association of Reformed Baptist Churches of America). Mr. Gordon Taylor is a long time pastor from the mid-west, who is now the national coordinator for ARBCA. I informed Mr. Taylor of the sudden loss to our church. He was scheduled to preach on “Spiritual Growth” using 1 Peter 2:1-3. Instead, sensing the need for comfort and encouragement among the saints, Mr. Taylor choose Romans 8:28 as his text. How marvelous is God’s providence and the gentle prodding of the Holy Spirit!

In introducing the passage he had chosen, Mr. Taylor shared that he did not want to preach on this passage when he was in seminary. He shared that almost all the messages he heard on this passage dealt with God’s using calamity for good. In other words, something bad had to happen first before God could use it to benefit His children. But as he studied the text, he realized that it says, “God causes all things to work for good.” Good things and bad things are used by God to accomplish good to those who have been called; to those who are in Christ Jesus. In a time of grief those gathered this morning at Grace Baptist Church of Odenton were being reminded that God is working for good in our lives regardless of the circumstances. We don’t have to wait for tragedy to strike in order to know God’s goodness. Of course, while we grieve the passing of our dear sister in Christ, we are comforted knowing that God is using her death for good. But, with a new perspective gained, we should strive to see God working in all situations.

Psalm 34:8 O taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!