Comfort Through Grieving 04.09.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Wednesday March 9, 2008 and today we are continuing our study on the book of I Samuel. Please read chapters 25-27 in your Bible or you can Click Here to read. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=I%20Samuel%2025%20--%2027&version=9

In today's study we will read and learn about the death of Samuel; Nabal, a wicked landowner, his death and David marrying his widow, Abigail; and Saul's pursuit of David. Today's message focuses on the importance of comfort through grief and knowing that God is with us through all circumstances including the death of loved ones.

Samuel was one of the greatest spiritual giants in Israel's history, but just one sentence records the death of this grand, old prophet. Because of Saul still seeking to kill him, David could not attend the funeral; instead he went down to the wilderness of Paran "And Samuel died; and all the Israelites were gathered together, and lamented him, and buried him in his house at Ramah. And David arose, and went down to the wilderness of Paran." (Samuel 25:1). The Israelites were now without spiritual leadership. But the all-wise God, who controls the universe, knew what was best.

We are tempted at times to think that death has come to the wrong person or has come at the wrong time, especially when a child is left without a mother, or when children die at a young age. Familiar as we are with death, the ways of God regarding it often seem strange to us. But, without a doubt, God never abandons His children. He leads us to look beyond our grief and to trust in His wisdom and in His tender love to comfort our broken spirit. At times we all need comfort. This is especially true during experiences of distress and grief when a loved one dies. Those of us who have lost loved ones know what a word of compassion can mean. As we see others suffering, let us also remember that our Heavenly Father has commanded to comfort His people. The words of our Savior are most comforting, "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." (John 14:1-3).

David realized he must leave the area and go where Saul could not reach him. "Then Saul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph." (I Samuel 26:2). While in the wilderness David discovered Saul asleep. "So David and Abishai came to the people by night: and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the trench, and his spear stuck in the ground at his bolster: but Abner and the people lay round about him." (26:7). David's nephew, Abishai, urged him to destroy Saul assuming that God had delivered him into their hands. "Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear even to the earth at once, and I will not smite him the second time." (26:8). However, David knew he was still under Saul's authority. So, David urged Abishai not to kill him as he would not become king by killing a man. "And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD's anointed, and be guiltless? David said furthermore, As the LORD liveth, the LORD shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish. The LORD forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the LORD's anointed: but, I pray thee, take thou now the spear that is at his bolster, and the cruse of water, and let us go." (26:9-11).

The Church exists as the bodily representative of Christ on earth and its future depends upon its recognition of God's authority over it. Church leaders such as ministers, pastors, or elders are directly responsible to God for what they preach and allow to be taught in their pastoral care. The Church's future depends upon recognition of Christ's authority. There are many "Abishai" Christians today who seize the opportunity to enter into rebellion, backbiting, backstabbing, and literally killing the influence and effect of a man of God in order to justify their own rebellious spirit. The disobedient are traveling in the pathway of Saul and their own spiritual suicide. The Christian's submission to authority is to go beyond the Church, for the Word says: "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God." (Romans 13:1). Therefore, we are to "Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;" (Titus 3:1-6).

In today's message Jesus Christ is reveal through Abigail's efforts to make peace between David and Nabal. (I Samuel 25:21-28). Jesus made peace for the world as He gave himself for our sins. "To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation." (II Corinthians 5:19).

Today's Psalm: 116:15
"Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints."

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Bless those who mourn with the comfort of your love that they may face each new day with hope and the certainty that nothing can destroy the good that has been given. May their memories become joyful, their days enriched with friendship,
and their lives encircled by your love. In Jesus' name, I pray.....Amen.

Have a wonderful Wednesday.
God Bless,
Christina

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