Introduction

Beloved congregation, as we gather together today, let our hearts be open and our spirits receptive to the message God has in store for us. We find ourselves in a world that is often filled with sorrow and grief, a world where heartache is a common language spoken by all, regardless of race, religion, or status. Yet, amid this universal experience of grief, we are not left alone. Our God, the God of all comfort, walks with us through the valley of the shadow of death.

As the renowned preacher Charles Spurgeon once said, "I have learned to kiss the wave that throws me against the Rock of Ages." This sentiment, born out of personal experiences of grief and hardship, echoes the truth found in our Scripture today. It's in the crucible of pain that we often find ourselves drawn closer to God, our Rock and Redeemer.

Let's turn our attention to the Word of God, as recorded in John 16:22, "So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you." And Psalm 34:18, "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."

In these passages, we find a promise and a reassurance. Jesus acknowledges our sorrow, yet promises a joy that is unshakeable, a joy that is ours to claim. Similarly, the Psalmist reminds us that in our brokenness, we are not abandoned. Instead, we find the Lord drawing near to us, ready to save and comfort us.

As we ponder these powerful verses, let's bow our heads in prayer.

Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You today, acknowledging our grief and sorrow. We thank You for Your promise of joy and Your presence with the brokenhearted. As we delve into Your Word today, we ask for Your Holy Spirit to guide us, to bring comfort where it's needed, and to help us grow through our grief. May our hearts be receptive and our minds open to the message You have for us today. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Grace

In the midst of our sorrow, we are called to grieve, but not as those without hope. This is a call to grieve with grace. It's a call to acknowledge our pain, to weep, to mourn, but to do so with the assurance that our sorrow is not the end of our story. We are not abandoned in our grief. Rather, we are held, comforted, and guided by a God who is intimately acquainted with our pain.

The first aspect of this idea is the acknowledgement of our grief. It's important to understand that grief is a natural response to loss. It's a part of our human experience. We are not called to suppress our grief or to pretend that everything is okay when it's not. Instead, we are called to be honest about our pain, to bring it before God, and to allow Him to meet us in our brokenness.

John 16:22 speaks directly to this. Jesus acknowledges our sorrow. He doesn't dismiss it or minimize it. Instead, He promises that He will see us again, and that our hearts will rejoice. This is a powerful reminder that our grief is not ignored or overlooked by God. He sees us. He knows our pain. And He promises a joy that is unshakeable, a joy that is ours to claim.

The second aspect of grieving with grace is the understanding that our grief is not a sign of weak faith. It's not a lack of trust in God. Instead, it's a response to the brokenness of our world, a brokenness that God Himself grieves over. When we grieve, we are not expressing a lack of faith. Rather, we are expressing a longing for the world as God intended it to be, a world without pain, sorrow, or death.

Psalm 34:18 speaks to this. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted. He saves the crushed in spirit. This is not a God who is distant or uncaring. This is a God who draws near to us in our pain, who saves us in our brokenness. Our grief does not push God away. Instead, it draws Him near.

The third aspect of grieving with grace is the hope that we have in Christ. This is not a shallow or fleeting hope. It's not a hope that is based on our circumstances or our feelings. Instead, it's a hope that is rooted in the person and work of Christ. It's a hope that is grounded in the promises of God.

Again, John 16:22 speaks to this. Jesus promises that He will see us again, and that our hearts will rejoice. This is a promise of resurrection, of new life. It's a promise that our grief is not the end of our story, that there is joy and life on the other side of our sorrow.

The final aspect of grieving with grace is the transformation that comes through our grief. This is not a call to move on from our grief or to get over it. Instead, it's a call to allow our grief to change us, to shape us, to deepen our faith and our dependence on God.

Psalm 34:18 speaks to this. The Lord saves the crushed in spirit. This is not just a promise of comfort or relief. It's a promise of salvation, of transformation. Our grief is not wasted. Instead, it's used by God to draw us closer to Him, to shape us into the image of Christ, to deepen our faith and our love for Him.

God's Guidance

In the midst of our sorrow, we are not left to navigate the murky waters of grief alone ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO