Sunday, September 5, 2010

Gladness and Resting for Mourning

"To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified." - Isaiah 61:3 KJV

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." - Matthew 11:28 NIV 

When we lose someone who has battled with medical complications for a while, we try to prepare for their loss while maintaining hope. When the feared loss of life comes, the sorrow is not for the one who passed but for us. We no longer partake of our loved one's light, hear their voice or feel their touch. It is at this time we need a few moments of rest so that we can continue on in this life. For the for the followers of Yeshua Ha-Maschiach (Jesus the Messiah or Christ), our rest is found in Him.

While the idea of rest does not seem so far fetched but the idea that God will give us joy for mourning is something different. It is hard to conceive of ever being joyful when we mourn the loss of someone close to us. However, God does grant us this. One of the simplest ways he does this is by reminding us of the good times we shared with our beloved. We are reminded of how blessed we are to have ever known that person and we can become joyful that all earthly trials are over for them.



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