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The psalmist in Psalm 119 verse 28 writes,

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My soul weeps because of grief.

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Strengthen me according to your word.

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It's interesting that this language

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that the psalmist is using here does not say specifically

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that the psalmist is in grief or grieving,

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but that his soul weeps because of grief.

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Grief is a tool.

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Grief is a useful thing to get us through

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a very difficult time.

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We've lost someone or something,

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or we've been hurt physically or psychologically or emotionally.

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When a child bangs themselves,

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they hit their shin on a chair or on a toy, they cry.

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And when they cry, those tears,

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it's been scientifically proven, comfort them.

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It's a pain relieving effect and an overcoming effect.

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I wonder if the lost who do not know Jesus

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are grieving all the time,

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of all the things that they lost

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and all that they themselves are lost,

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dead in their trespasses and sins.

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As we grieve the absence of someone who passed away,

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maybe they grieve the absence of the good someone

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that they could be in Christ.

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In any case, if you are grieving

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or you know someone who's grieving,

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know that it is a tool.

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It is not meant to oppress you.

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It is not meant to destroy you.

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It is not meant to stop you from being faithful to the Lord.

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But it is a tool.

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It is an experience and it hurts,

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but you'll make it through.

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And in trusting in the Lord and in His word

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and in His promises,

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you will know that one day we will be in a place

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where there will be no more grieving

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and there will be no more need to grieve.

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And we'll praise God for that.

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So God bless you today if you're grieving.

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God bless you today if you know someone who's grieving,

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stand up for them in prayer.

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Let us be comforted according to His word.