Go! And Find Comfort in Grief: Seeking God’s Peace, Not the Voices of the Past
Introduction
Grief is a journey we all experience at some point in life. The loss of a loved one, whether expected or sudden, leaves a void that words cannot easily fill. In our sorrow, we long for comfort, for answers, and for peace. But where do we turn? The world offers many responses: some encourage us to seek closure through personal rituals, others suggest finding solace in memories, and still others may even advocate for attempting to communicate with the departed. But as followers of Christ, we must ask: what does God say?
God calls us to Go! And Find Comfort in Grief not by seeking voices of the past, but by embracing His peace. In this message, we will explore what the Bible teaches about grief, where we can find true comfort, and how to navigate loss with faith and hope.
1. Go! And Bring Your Grief to God
Psalm 34:18 (NLT) - "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed."
David, the writer of this psalm, knew grief intimately. This verse comes from a time when he was fleeing from King Saul and facing immense hardship. In his distress, he acknowledges a fundamental truth: God is near to those who suffer.
The Hebrew word for "brokenhearted" (nishb'rei-lev) literally means "shattered in heart." It conveys the image of deep emotional pain, of a heart that feels beyond repair. Yet David assures us that the Lord does not stand at a distance—He comes close.
The enemy wants us to believe we are alone in our grief. But God promises His nearness. His presence is not passive; He actively rescues and sustains. He calls us to bring our sorrow to Him, to pour out our hearts before Him in prayer.
When grief overwhelms us, we must run to God, not away from Him.
Practical steps include immersing ourselves in Scripture, praying honestly, and allowing the Holy Spirit to be our Comforter (John 14:26).
Instead of seeking closure through unbiblical means, let us seek the God of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
Charles Spurgeon once said, "The Lord gets His best soldiers out of the highlands of affliction."
Your grief does not mean God has abandoned you; rather, He is training you for greater intimacy with Him.
Charles Spurgeon’s words, "The Lord gets His best soldiers out of the highlands of affliction," speak to a profound biblical truth—our suffering is not meaningless; it is a tool in the hands of a sovereign God. When we experience grief, it is easy to feel as though God is distant, as though our pain signifies His absence. But Scripture assures us otherwise.
Psalm 34:18 (NLT) declares, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” Grief does not mean abandonment—it is often the very place where God draws us nearer to Him. In the refining fire of sorrow, He shapes us, strengthens our faith, and deepens our reliance on His grace.
Consider Job, a man who endured immense suffering yet proclaimed, “But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold” (Job 23:10, NLT). In the depths of loss, Job did not see God's full plan, but he trusted that his pain had purpose. Likewise, God uses our grief not to destroy us, but to refine us, teaching us greater dependence on Him.
Paul echoes this truth in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NLT): “God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others.” Our grief is not only a place of personal growth, but it equips us to minister to others with the comfort we ourselves have received.
So, if you are in a season of affliction, know this: God is not punishing you; He is preparing you. Your sorrow is not a sign of His neglect but an invitation to deeper intimacy with Him. He is forging you into a stronger, more compassionate soldier in His kingdom. Trust Him in the valley, for He is leading you to higher ground.
2. Go! And Rest in the Hope of Eternal Life
John 11:25-26 (NLT) - "Jesus told her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this?'"
Jesus speaks these words to Martha after the death of her brother, Lazarus. In her sorrow, she believes in the future resurrection but struggles to find hope in the present. Jesus declares that He Himself is the resurrection—not just in the future but now.
The Greek word anastasis (resurrection) means "standing up again." Jesus is saying that He is the power that overcomes death.
Death is not the end for those in Christ. Though we grieve the loss of loved ones, we do not grieve as those who have no hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13).
Let this promise comfort you: our loved ones in Christ live on in His presence.
Hold on to the truth that one day, we will be reunited with them in the presence of Jesus.
Let this hope transform how you approach grief—it is not permanent; it is a momentary sorrow in the light of eternity.
Billy Graham’s words, "For the believer, there is hope beyond the grave, because Jesus Christ has opened the door to heaven for us by His death and resurrection," powerfully echo the heart of the Gospel. In a world where death often seems like the final chapter, the resurrection of Jesus Christ proclaims a greater truth—death is not the end for those who trust in Him.
Jesus Himself declared in John 11:25-26 (NLT): “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die.” These words, spoken to Martha as she grieved the loss of her brother Lazarus, were not just words of comfort—they were a declaration of Christ’s victory over death itself.
Through His death on the cross, Jesus bore the weight of our sin. Through His resurrection, He triumphed over the grave, opening the way for eternal life. 1 Corinthians 15:54-55 (NLT) proclaims this victory: “Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’” Because of Christ, the believer no longer fears death—it is merely a passage into eternal life with Him.
This hope is not wishful thinking; it is a living hope anchored in the finished work of Jesus. 1 Peter 1:3 (NLT) says: “Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you.” Our faith in Christ assures us that the grave does not hold the final word—He does.
For those grieving the loss of a loved one in Christ, take heart: they are not lost, they are home. And one day, we will be reunited in the presence of our Saviour, where “He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain” (Revelation 21:4, NLT).
Billy Graham’s words remind us that our hope is not in this fleeting life, but in the eternal promise of Jesus. Let that hope sustain you, strengthen you, and inspire you to live each day for His glory.
3. Go! And Avoid the Dangers of Seeking the Voices of the Past
Deuteronomy 18:10-12 (NLT) - "And do not let your people practice fortune-telling, or use sorcery, or interpret omens, or engage in witchcraft, or cast spells, or function as mediums or psychics, or call forth the spirits of the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord."
The Israelites were warned against seeking guidance from the dead because it leads to spiritual deception. The Hebrew word darash means "to seek diligently"—it implies a pursuit of knowledge outside of God's will.
Modern culture romanticises the idea of communicating with the dead. But Scripture is clear: attempting to reach the dead is not from God.
Instead of seeking comfort through unbiblical means, seek God through prayer and His Word.
Trust that God alone is sovereign over life and death.
John Piper’s words, "God is our ultimate treasure, and He is enough. Seeking after forbidden things leads to emptiness," point us to a fundamental biblical truth—only God can truly satisfy the deep longings of our hearts. The world offers countless distractions and counterfeit comforts, but they all leave us empty when we seek them apart from Him.
Jesus Himself warns in Matthew 6:19-21 (NLT): “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” Our hearts were made for God, and when we pursue things outside His will—whether material wealth, forbidden knowledge, or even seeking comfort through unbiblical means—it only leads to spiritual emptiness.
One of the greatest dangers in times of grief or uncertainty is the temptation to seek answers or peace apart from God. Some may turn to psychics, mediums, or other practices condemned in Scripture, hoping to reconnect with lost loved ones or find guidance for the future. Yet Deuteronomy 18:10-12 (NLT) gives us a clear warning: “Do not let your people practice fortune-telling, or use sorcery, or interpret omens, or engage in witchcraft, or cast spells, or function as mediums or psychics, or call forth the spirits of the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord.” When we seek what God has forbidden, we open ourselves to spiritual deception rather than true comfort.
Instead, God invites us to seek Him, to trust in His sufficiency, and to rest in His promises. Psalm 73:25-26 (NLT) declares: “Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.” When we treasure God above all else, we find the peace, comfort, and hope that nothing in this world can provide.
Let us remember: God is enough. In seasons of sorrow and searching, let us cling to Him, trust in His goodness, and reject anything that leads us away from His perfect will. For only in Him will we find true and lasting fulfillment.
Conclusion and Call to Action:
Go to God with your grief.
Rest in the promise of eternal life.
Reject any practice that dishonours God.
If you are struggling with grief today, take comfort in this: Jesus understands your sorrow. He wept at the tomb of Lazarus (John 11:35), and He walks with you now.
Invitation to Faith in Jesus
Perhaps today, you realise you need this hope. If you have never trusted in Jesus as your Saviour, now is the time. He is the Resurrection and the Life. Will you place your trust in Him today?
Pray: Lord Jesus, I need Your comfort. I believe You died and rose again for me. Forgive my sins and give me eternal life. Amen.
May the Lord bless you as you find comfort in His unfailing love. Amen.
