God Grieves When His Loved Ones Die - In the Morning When I Rise

Whose example can I follow to bear the grief of losing someone I love, Jesus? Are you with me in my sadness?

When I arrived at Bethany, I was told that Lazarus had already been in his grave for four days. When I saw Mary weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, I was deeply troubled. “Where have you put him?” I asked them. They told me, “Lord, come and see.” Then I wept. I care deeply when my loved ones die.

John 11:17, 33-35; Psalm 116:15

How do I cope, Lord Jesus? What hope is there in my grief?

Then I shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. I told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!” I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this?

John 11:43-44; John 11:25-26

What can I pray to find hope in the face of death?

You will remove the cloud of gloom, the shadow of death that hangs over the earth. You will swallow up death forever! Sovereign LORD, you will wipe away all tears.

Isaiah 25:7-8

Jesus had many emotions about the death of his friend, which means it’s okay for you to grieve your loss too. Your pain, tears, and emotions do not overwhelm or burden God. In fact, he welcomes them. Expressing your grief to God and others is part of healing. Read the prayer above again, asking God to help you have hope in eternity as you grieve your loss on earth.