Avizandam In Scots law, this term describes the careful consideration given by the judge before an important decision. Join me each week as we explore various topics from a spiritual perspective. and take matters Abyssendum In our fallen world, death is a certain reality.
So most of us have experienced grief. the death of a parent, a child, a sibling, a close friend. A grandparent.
So in a sense, grief is a normal part of life. We cannot escape it. and is certainly not sinful to grieve. How could we not grieve over the death of some one we deeply love? a hole remains which will never be filled in this lifetime.
He returns no more to his house, Nor his place. knows him. That's Job seven verse ten. When my son died on April 25, 2021, I knew that as long as I was on earth I would never see Christopher again. That's a profound reality.
But how do we cope? in such difficult circumstances. As followers of Jesus we do not grieve as those who have no hope. We're people of hope. We have a living hope.
This living hope is a sure expectation of what will certainly occur in the future. We look beyond death to Eternity and know that our loved ones who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ are safely. With the Lord.
Soon We will be united with them. never again to part. This is a tremendous comfort as we look for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. Dealing with grief, we mustn't doubt the love of God. It's true.
we may not always feel that love, We may think that God has abandoned us, but But the God who loves us will never leave us. Though I walk, Through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for you are with me. the words of King David in Psalm 23. The Lord is with us. He provides strength, courage.
comfort and a true perspective. We know that God is sovereign, and that God and is working all things. For her good. Although we don't understand all of his ways, we don't We are to trust him, he said. in the darkness, in the confusion.
inner grief. He is God. and we are his children. and God has His plans, which are much better and wiser than ours. We have a Saviour who is described in Scripture as the man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.
truly God and truly man. Jesus suffered. He mourned. He grieved.
so Jesus understands our grief and our sorrow. We look at the amazing scene in John 11. where on the death of his friend Lazarus Jesus wept. Scripture promises That the Lord is near. to the brokenhearted.
that Psalm thirty four verse eighteen. When we're seeking to help someone who is in bereavement, that is not the time for the cliche or the religious platitude. Your presence. a simple expression of your sorrow. and an acknowledgment of the individual who has gone to be with the Lord is of tremendous comfort to the grieving.
Goody and I were thankful for the many people who drew near to us, those who sent cards, texts, flowers, and other encouragements. when we were mourning. while we were surprised that some people, who we thought were close to us, never even acknowledged Christopher's passing, Our main comforter was and is the Holy Spirit. He indwells us not. Never leaves us.
and provides the comfort, the consolation, the encouragement which we need day by day.
So when a loved one passes, followers of Christ do grieve. but we do not do so as those who have no hope. Unbelievers have no hope beyond the grave. We rejoice. that our magnificent Saviour not only died for our sins on the cross, was buried, he went into death, conquered it, and is alive forevermore.
Praise His name. This is a living hope. Of the gospel of the grace of God. Avisandam. You're listening to the weekly Avizandam podcast from The Verdict, featuring Pastor John Monroe.
John is senior pastor at Calvary Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Listen to John's daily program, The Verdict, on broadcast radio or major podcast platforms. For more information about the Verdict Ministry, visit us online at calvarychurch.com/slash the verdict.
