Thursday, May 19, 2011

Comforting Scriptures for the Bereaved

I am missing my son terribly as this anniversary approaches. This morning I am preaching to myself. Scripture is such a comfort when I am beside myself with grief and longing. My son is alive, though the separation is difficult. But he is alive and well and we will be reunited.


Philippians 1:21
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. (NIV)

Death for the believer brings a better life than this earthly existence.



Revelation 14:13

And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this down: Blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, they are blessed indeed, for they will rest from their hard work; for their good deeds follow them!” (NLT)

Those who die in the Lord are blessed. That means happy. They rest (as in "vacation"), they are rewarded for the good they did. And my son did so much good.



Psalm 116:15

Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. (NIV)

God is tender toward his children when they die, and the bereaved who are left behind. The pain is not inconsequential to God.





Romans 14:8

If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. (NIV)

We belong to him, in life and in death. We are never out of His hand or heart. God's relationship with us is steady.




Philippians 3:20-21

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. (NIV)

Heaven is our true home. The earthly life is preparation for the life to come, not an end in itself. The best is yet to come. And He says our bodies will be like his resurrected body.




John 11:25-26

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" (NIV)

Anyone who believes in Christ never truly dies. They only die to this world. They shed their earthly skin for an eternal body and live fully on the other shore.


I am thankful for the peace and rest that only God can provide. He is my hiding place, my strong tower, my shield, my Savior, and the everlasting arms that hold my son safely for that great day. 

14 comments:

Haddock said...

What a view from there.

Elis said...

Love you so much. Sending you a biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiig hug and lots of love, Elis

Beckypdj said...

Amen, Amen, Amen

Anonymous said...

Love you Joe and Karen. The scriptures that you chose or maybe they chose you? Is my prayer that they give you the comfort you need. xoxoxo Sharon

Gberger said...

Amen, sister. Well said, for you and for all of us. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Robin said...

I am glad that you find comfort in these words, darling girl.

Marina said...

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Rev 21:4

Love you Karen

Anonymous said...

The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. Deuteronomy 33: 27

Love you vi

Robin said...

Dearest Karen,

You might like to listen to today's Pray As You Go this week-end.

http://www.pray-as-you-go.org/

Love you.

Jackie J said...

My heart is with you always, but particularly this week! Big hugs, and love! I always think of you and "Joey's song" "in this life". May God's comfort reach even deeper into the chasm of your pain this weekend as your reminisce in his life together! Love you all!

Jeri said...

You're in my many thoughts and prayers.
Love you very much!
Jeri

Anonymous said...

and all this from a God who loves! For God is love. How easily we forget this!
Much love and comfort,
Gary

Karin said...

I cannot adequately express how blessed I am by your unyielding faith in the midst of exquisite pain. You are truly, truly my hero's and inspiration to carry on when I feel like throwing in the towel. I hope that is some small consolation

Anna/Flowergardengirl said...

Sending really tight hugs your way--with soft warm bisquits---and real butter. It's all I have right now that seems so comforting.