And behold, a pale horse, and he who sat on it, his name was Death. Hades followed with him. Authority over one-fourth of the earth, to kill with the sword, with famine, with death, and by the wild animals of the earth was given to him. Revelation 6:8

The family had gone for years without hearing the terrible news of a close friend or another member of the family dying. But, in a short period of time, there were half a dozen cases of sad news. Although they were living too far away to go to the funerals, they felt the weight of loss and the pain that the rest of the family was suffering through. The mother especially, could not fathom why separation should come and bring such anguish to us. Do we struggle with the heartache that loss and death bring?

God´s own Son was moved to tears when a dear friend died. We cannot hope to be immune. But, when we put our hope in the Eternal One, then our hope rises above time, loss, and the terminal nature of humans. Because we choose to believe in a God that is not bound by death, we do not need to despair as the world does. When we leave death in the most capable hands of Jesus Christ, who conquered the grave, He becomes our hope. He comes to us. We can stand under the crushing weight of loss and death, not because we are strong but because Jesus is and our hearts are with Him. So, if we are saddened today when we think of loved ones who are no longer with us, let us place them in the tender hands of the One who loved us enough to go through the grave for us. Then, hope will enter in and all that was lost will be found in Him!

Dear Lord,

Take our pain and our loss. Take our very hearts that all may be well as You say it will be for those who love You, we pray!

Amen