MOURNING

How many of us have heard at a Funeral service the words of David in 2 Samuel 'I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.'  In the agony of a death these words comfort us that know we can one day reunite with those that have passed before us.  David assures us of immortality, he begins by asking 'Can I bring him back.' The hurtful truth to us at a time like this is no we can not.

We were reminded of this yesterday as a young women we had been praying for lost her unborn child.  We are told that at 4 months the child was perfectly formed without blemish.  Could we say our prayers went unanswered?  In the past few weeks it appears that many we have prayed for have passed from this life.  We looked back over those prayers, we prayed the Word, we stood on the promises God has given to us, we prayed in the spirit, did we not ask for God's most perfect will.  Who are we to judge His most perfect will?  

Still a part of us wonders were there unseen things that did in fact hinder those prayers?  Harsh, it might seem, but truthful nonetheless.  We listened to a women say we prayed but we knew the child would not live.  Listening to this and other negative remarks, we wanted to shout shut-up.  While we were praying in earnest, is this what the young woman had heard.  How then could she keep the faith that God would save her unborn child?  We though do not know her heart.

As harsh as it sounds at a time of death, we are to speak only good things.  We have never been to a funeral where the Preacher has said 'We don't know where this person has gone,' that would be hurtful even if true.  Yet in quietness many speak amongst themselves, 'if they made it to heaven anyone can make it.'  Why then do we not in this time of mourning ask ourselves 'am I going to make it'.  Many who think they are, are in fact living life's of lies.  Harsh yes, Cruel no, not if it gets us to open our eyes to the fact that 'NO SIN' shall enter into heaven.  And the truth shall sat your free. 

Are we fearful of hurting someone's feelings.  Alas we only thrive to get you to open your eyes.  Death is a reality.  Not having Christ in your life is a sure path to hell.  Mourn. The Bible tells us there is a time to mourn, it is a part of the healing process.  At the same time let it be a time to open your eyes to truth, a truth that can save the unsaved and set the saved back on the path to heaven.

There is nothing we can do but mourn the passing of a loved one, and we should.  But it is the living that we can still continue to pray for that they might be saved and have eternal life.

God Bless you this morning

recj/LJG