Hope

Do you ever have seasons where it seems like almost everyone around you is grieving a loss? I feel that way right now. Loss of a job. Loss of a loved one. Loss of a sense of security. Between the major losses we see in the news and the losses we experience on a personal level, it’s easy for hearts to become overwhelmed with despair.

Our church family has experienced the loss of some long-time and well-loved members lately. And just over this weekend, we have grieved for two different sets of loved ones grieving over the home-going of their close family members. James and I will attend at least two funerals this week. My heart hurts for my grieving family and friends.

With that in mind, I was scrolling through some old blog posts because I’ve been in seasons like this before and I knew that God had given me a sustaining word for my grieving soul. He is always so faithful to feed any who open wide their mouths. I found this post from December 2011 and felt led to share it again. If you are heavy with grief over any kind of loss today, I pray that the Lord will use His Words to strengthen and soothe your heart.

I am praying for you ~

December 2011. God Blesses Those Who Mourn

My heart is heavy this morning for so many who are missing loved ones this month… My own precious Daddy died two days after Christmas (fifteen years ago, and we still miss his presence in our lives). Our blogging friend, Bella Mella – Melanie Dorsey and her family are grieving the loss of their 12 year old son, Andrew, who moved to Heaven two years ago on the 15th. The news is full of tragedy, made especially difficult during this season where love and family and memories are so cherished. I’m praying for many who are mourning this month.

As I drank my coffee and opened God’s Word this morning to see what He had to say from my study through Matthew, as God often does, He had a beautiful Word about those who mourn. I knew immediately that He gave it to me, as well as to many of you… to any of you who mourn.

Matthew 5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” (NIV)

That’s the verse most of us know. The second of the Beatitudes in Matthew 5. But read it in these other translations and versions:

“You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.” (The Message)

“Blessed and enviably happy [with a happiness produced by the experience of God’s favor and especially conditioned by the revelation of His matchless grace] are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted!” (Amplified)

“God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” (New Living Translation)

I’m using the New Living Translation as I study verse by verse through Matthew, and the different wording of a familiar verse was a blessing to my heart. Between the NLT and the Amp, this is what I wrote in my journal this morning, and what I want to pass along to you:

“God blesses those who mourn with His comfort and matchless grace. Thank you, O Lord! You bless each need with a deeper revelation of yourself. In that way, we are blessed with the happiness only produced by the experience of Your favor conditioned by the revelation of your Matchless Grace.

Conditioned = restored, nourished, hydrated, refreshed. When we look back on the loss we are mourning, we will see what you have done for, in, and through us as we walk each step with You and in Your strength alone. Your grace conditions, restores, nourishes, hydrates, and refreshes each dry and weary heart. In this… In you… is the blessing… when we are in the midst of deep sorrow and grief.

Thank you, O Lord, for the blessing of Your Strength, Your Help, Your Carriage, Your Nourishing, Your Conditioning, Your Mercy, Your Love, and Your Presence as we walk the days of mourning. Thank you that weeping will last but a night, and that joy WILL come in the ‘mourning‘.”

My sweet friends, if you are mourning – especially during this supposedly “festive” month, I am praying for you. Rest assured of this: God knows. God understands. God will not leave you nor will He forsake you, Assuredly not! (Heb. 13:5)

Jennifer