The psalmist in Psalm 119 verse 28 writes,
My soul weeps because of grief.
Strengthen me according to your word.
It's interesting that this language
that the psalmist is using here does not say specifically
that the psalmist is in grief or grieving,
but that his soul weeps because of grief.
Grief is a tool.
Grief is a useful thing to get us through
a very difficult time.
We've lost someone or something,
or we've been hurt physically or psychologically or emotionally.
When a child bangs themselves,
they hit their shin on a chair or on a toy, they cry.
And when they cry, those tears,
it's been scientifically proven, comfort them.
It's a pain relieving effect and an overcoming effect.
I wonder if the lost who do not know Jesus
are grieving all the time,
of all the things that they lost
and all that they themselves are lost,
dead in their trespasses and sins.
As we grieve the absence of someone who passed away,
maybe they grieve the absence of the good someone
that they could be in Christ.
In any case, if you are grieving
or you know someone who's grieving,
know that it is a tool.
It is not meant to oppress you.
It is not meant to destroy you.
It is not meant to stop you from being faithful to the Lord.
But it is a tool.
It is an experience and it hurts,
but you'll make it through.
And in trusting in the Lord and in His word
and in His promises,
you will know that one day we will be in a place
where there will be no more grieving
and there will be no more need to grieve.
And we'll praise God for that.
So God bless you today if you're grieving.
God bless you today if you know someone who's grieving,
stand up for them in prayer.
Let us be comforted according to His word.