Today's Favorite Verse: Lamentations 3:32-33

Today's Favorite Verse: Lamentations 3:32-33

"But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.

For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men".

This made me think of the story of Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead. It was part of our family scriptures this week in Come, Follow Me.

"When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.

Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.

And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him."

(John 11:6, 14-15)

Jesus tarried until he knew Lazarus was dead. He knew the grief that Martha and Mary would experience from this. Jesus himself wept. How hard it must have been for him to stay his hand and not immediately go and heal Lazarus. Yet, he knew that there was a greater lesson here for all. Mary and Martha would have their testimonies of the divinity of Jesus Christ strengthened. Jesus apostles would have a deeper understanding of what was to come. They would know in coming weeks that Jesus would rise again from the dead. Sometimes we have to face grief, so we can learn greater things when Jesus shows mercy upon us. Why do bad things happen to good people? For the intent that we may believe. It is through Christ that all our wounds are healed.

Day 2959

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 12:22-23

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 Samuel 12:22-23

" And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live?

But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me."

The child of David and Bathsheba born in adultery, is sick and dies. While the child lay dying David fasted, wept and laid upon the earth. Once he learns the child has died he arose from the earth, washed, changed clothes and ate. What I see here is David's grief, not only for the child, but for his own sins that brought this upon him. Once he learns God's will in the matter, to take his son, he accepts it. This verse also shows an understanding that one day he will go where his son now is. I pondered on how healing it is to reflect upon the plan of salvation, and life after death, when we are dealing with grief.

Day 2438

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 15:10-11

Today's Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 15:10-11

"Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto.

For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land."

I pondered on how I have never experienced grief for helping someone in need. I've only experienced it when I haven't helped as I knew I should.

Day 2327

Today's Favorite Verse: Lamentations 1:1, 16

Today's Favorite Verse: Lamentations 1:1, 16
"How doth the city sit solitary, that was full of people! how is she become as a widow! she that was great among the nations, and princess among the provinces, how is she become tributary!
For these things I weep; mine eye, mine eye runneth down with water, because the comforter that should relieve my soul is far from me: my children are desolate, because the enemy prevailed."

This chapter made me cry for it reminds me of the "would have been's". You grieve for what could have been and wasn't. I can feel Jeremiah's pain, for all that he did to warn the people, yet they would not listen. It did not have to end this way. Why is the comforter gone from him when he mourns? I think it is still there, he is just grieving and cannot feel it. It's part of the bitter and sweet of this life. It is for our experience. I would not be told to "mourn with those that mourn" if there was something bad or evil with such a process. Mourning is exactly what Jeremiah is suppose to do right now.   

Day 1373

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 10:19

Today's Favorite Verse: Jeremiah 10:19
"Woe is me for my hurt! my wound is grievous: but I said, Truly this is a grief, and I must bear it."

I always marvel how when I read the scriptures there is something there for me that day. It's like my life experiences build up to what I will read. Though I think that seriously is why things are often repeated in the scriptures. This verse actually made me smile. For today my father has died, and our family reverently mourns his passing. Once again my experience fits what I read in the scriptures. The Lord always prepares the way. What tender mercies the scriptures are to me.

(Pauline & Philip Harris)

Day 1330

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 6:14, 25

Today's Favorite Verse: Job 6:14, 25
"To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.
How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?"

Job gives a lot of good council here, a lesson on how to help someone suffering or grieving. Showing pity in the right way would certainly require the right words. Knowing the timing and what to say is not something I do well on my own. I have to rely on the spirit to guide me, because I do it so hopelessly wrong by myself. I have much improvement that is needed in this area. I am glad that I have such a rich resource to learn from in the book of Job.


Day 1017

Today's Favorite Verse: Leviticus 16:1, 34

Today's Favorite Verse: Leviticus 16:1, 34

"And the Lord spake unto Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they offered before the Lord, and died;

And this shall be an everlasting statute unto you, to make an atonement for the children of Israel for all their sins once a year. And he did as the Lord commanded Moses."

The Lord has Aaron came into the holy place and perform specific acts in order to atone for his sins and the sins of his family, and the sins of all of Israel. As I went through these acts I wept. I could feel how broken heart Aaron must have felt. How serving the Lord would have healed his soul and comforted him. I know going to the temple when I grieve has done this for me. What a loving thing the Lord did for Aaron. No wonder this is called the Day of Atonement.

Day 681