When sorrow delivers hope by Deon Crafford

Psalms 119:28-32 My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word! Put false ways far from me and graciously teach me your law! I have chosen the way of faithfulness;I set your rules before me. I cling to your testimonies, O Lord; let me not be put to shame! I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart!

It is often asserted that the only two certainties in the secular world are death and taxes. That we will all leave here one day is certain, and yet for the believer this certainty prompts another – that we will be taken into a new heaven and earth. Most of us know sorrow and grief first hand. If a loved one departs this life, our sorrow embodies our deep sense of loss – albeit perhaps temporary. We often lose sight of the fact that our loss is more indicative of an indefinite period of absence. The Psalmist describes sorrow so aptly in saying “my soul melts away” – and if you’ve been there I am sure right now you can recall that intense feeling. But then too he says something that embodies our hope in our Christ when he says: “when you enlarge my heart”. Perhaps herein lies the significance of loss – it allows for our hearts to be enlarged by the Holy Spirit. If anything, grief and sorrow is the litmus test of our faith. We really only emerge from our time in grief and sorrow because of our certain hope in Jesus Christ. This hope is what takes the sting out of death and any other form of loss. This hope is alive.

Love to all 

DC