Daily Devotions
Sorrow Over Those Gone to be With Jesus
Reading for April 21st: 2 Kings 1-3
Weekly reading for April 19-25: Acts 6-10
Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him.
Acts 8:2
How should we feel when we lose a loved one who has gone on to be with the Lord? Because of Christ's promise, Paul instructs us to not "grieve as others do who have no hope." (1 Thess 4:13) But does that mean we are to not grieve at all? If we feel sorrow, is that a sign that our faith is weak?
No, sorrow is not wrong, nor is it a sign of a weak faith. The case of Stephen's burial shows us that men of faith can (and should) feel sorrow. If ever there was certainty that someone went to be with the Lord, it is with Stephen. He saw the Lord standing at the right hand of God (Acts 7:56). Then as he was dying he prayed for the Lord to receive his spirit and forgave those who were stoning him (Acts 7:59-60). And do not forget that the apostles were still in Jerusalem at this time. They were eyewitnesses to the Lord. They had seen Him after his resurrection. They witnessed Him ascend back to heaven (Acts 1:3, 9). There was no lack of faith on anyone's part that Stephen was in the presence of the Lord experiencing great joy and peace. Yet, these "devout men" are said to have made "great lamentation" over Stephen. There was nothing wrong with that. In fact, there would be something wrong if they didn't lament his death!
If you are feeling sorrow right now over the death of someone who has died and gone to be with Jesus, you should not feel guilty. Your faith is not weak. Even Jesus wept at Lazarus' grave (Jn 11:35). Feeling sorrow is not antithetical to faith. It is a Christ-like emotion.
Father, comfort us in our sorrow. Remind us of our hope. Teach us to hate sin and all that has been cursed because of sin. And come, Lord Jesus!
