Monday, January 24, 2011

Good Grief


1 Samuel 15:32-35

Samuel mourned for Saul, God was grieved. E-dictionaries say both words are laments, but mourning displays itself by some outward mark like crying, while grieving is an emotion that one feels within. Mourning may be the common act of many, but grief is an act of an individual for the loss of someone dear to him. One mourns for that which concerns others, one grieves for that which immediately concerns him. Samuel’s sadness was more from a mentor seeing his apprentice fall away from God and how it affected the nation. It made him decide not to see Saul again ‘til he died. God’s grief was the Father’s heavy heart for his wayward son. He felt this in Noah’s time, Jesus’ felt this when he saw the Pharisees’ unbelief, and the Spirit feels this everytime we sin.  We are so dear to Him that our rebellion hurts Him so much. It is just unbearable for a parent to hear justice knock at his son’s door. But our choices left Truth with no choice. And so He sent His Son to die on our stead. Amazing move, amazing love! Sin could not stop Him from caring. It was actually His compassion that put sin’s snare to a stop.  Only in God can we associate grief with life, not loss. And only God can make the saddest of words turn into a hope we all could turn to!


Application:


Psalm 119:158 says “I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word.” By defining ‘grief’ as a God-concern, moving Him to compassion, I would admit I’m lagging behind. Everyday I hear neighbors cursing, friends’ malicious FB postings, and my own kids’ toy-sharing issues. Irritated? Yes. Good grieving? You mean, wanting them to change? Yes of course. Acting upon it? With my kids, yes. My friends? Uhm, maybe just the closest. Neighbors? Lord, are you sure? And by the way, He added my name on the list too! But as love is not love unless expressed, grieving will remain a negative emotion unless it produces positive action.  But he cannot use a hard heart to soften another. He dealt with Jonah first then Niniveh’s saving. Only in understanding His good grief and experiencing His forgiveness firsthand can we love much.  Pride loathes the sinner, but Jesus came for them. Good grief: Do not delay. People are perishing.
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Good Grief


1 Samuel 15:32-35

Samuel mourned for Saul, God was grieved. E-dictionaries say both words are laments, but mourning displays itself by some outward mark like crying, while grieving is an emotion that one feels within. Mourning may be the common act of many, but grief is an act of an individual for the loss of someone dear to him. One mourns for that which concerns others, one grieves for that which immediately concerns him. Samuel’s sadness was more from a mentor seeing his apprentice fall away from God and how it affected the nation. It made him decide not to see Saul again ‘til he died. God’s grief was the Father’s heavy heart for his wayward son. He felt this in Noah’s time, Jesus’ felt this when he saw the Pharisees’ unbelief, and the Spirit feels this everytime we sin.  We are so dear to Him that our rebellion hurts Him so much. It is just unbearable for a parent to hear justice knock at his son’s door. But our choices left Truth with no choice. And so He sent His Son to die on our stead. Amazing move, amazing love! Sin could not stop Him from caring. It was actually His compassion that put sin’s snare to a stop.  Only in God can we associate grief with life, not loss. And only God can make the saddest of words turn into a hope we all could turn to!


Application:


Psalm 119:158 says “I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word.” By defining ‘grief’ as a God-concern, moving Him to compassion, I would admit I’m lagging behind. Everyday I hear neighbors cursing, friends’ malicious FB postings, and my own kids’ toy-sharing issues. Irritated? Yes. Good grieving? You mean, wanting them to change? Yes of course. Acting upon it? With my kids, yes. My friends? Uhm, maybe just the closest. Neighbors? Lord, are you sure? And by the way, He added my name on the list too! But as love is not love unless expressed, grieving will remain a negative emotion unless it produces positive action.  But he cannot use a hard heart to soften another. He dealt with Jonah first then Niniveh’s saving. Only in understanding His good grief and experiencing His forgiveness firsthand can we love much.  Pride loathes the sinner, but Jesus came for them. Good grief: Do not delay. People are perishing.