God is with us in grief
June 26, 2023
“The Spirit of God is called to help you, to strengthen you, to relieve the loneliness, ease the grief, and calm your fears. He is your advocate in time of fear and trouble. He will be with you in the desperate hour of life.” -Dr.
J. Vernon McGee, from “For Those Who Grieve”
Grief is a part of life. If we love, then we will deal with loss … and it’s hard. The Apostle Paul knew this, and that’s why He continued to remind the Corinthians that God is present in our lives and available to us in our times of
need. That’s also what we hear from a listener in South Africa as she shares about the death of her husband.
“My sadness was unbearable. I did not know whether to rise or sit. Whether to eat to drink. I became numb. I completely shut down. I knew people were talking to me, but I could not hear what they were saying. This went on for weeks. One day a friend began reading Scripture. She did not talk to me, she did not expect anything, she just sat and read aloud. Then the next day she turned on your program. I began to cry, and we listened some more. The next day we did the same and then the next day, too. I may have cried more than I listened. But as I did, my heart softened and a will to live returned. When I realized God was with me, I could face the crisis. Thank you for what you taught me. Just as God’s Word speaks to me in this pain, I look forward to the day it speaks to me in happier times as well.”
God is with us in our sorrows. Today pray for those among us who are hurting, and thank Him that He promises to be with us in our most desperate moments. If you or someone you love need to be reminded of His love and care, here are a few verses
you can cling to:
- God is near (Psalm 34:18)
- God comforts us (Matthew 5:4, 2 Corinthians 1:3)
- God will help us (Psalm 30:10)
- God is our strength (Psalm 73:26)
- God’s peace is available to us (John 14:27)
A light? A sword? A mirror? What’s your favorite metaphor about God’s Word? A listener in Botswana shares his tomorrow. Come along for his story.
Listen here to TTB-Zulu.