Description
Bring your grief to God in this meditation on key scriptures. The word of God promises comfort from the Holy Spirit, and… (visit YouTube for more)
Transcript
We come to meditate on God’s Word and to look to Him for comfort during your time of grief. While we meditate, it will help you if you’re comfortable and free from interruptions. So please put your phone on do not disturb, sit or lie down and relax. If you find it helpful, you can dim the lighting. Let’s focus fully on this moment, on the Word of God and on the voice of the Holy Spirit, our Comforter.
To help prepare for this meditation, slowly take a deep breath and hold it. Genesis 2 verse 7 says that God himself breathed life into our race. Breathe out slowly and hold. Job 33 verse 4: The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life. Breathe in again slowly. Psalm 33, verse 6: By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host. And breathe out.
You’ve come to this meditation because of losing a child. My wife and I lost our son Morgan a couple of months before recording this, and I stand with you in your grief as a fellow believer dependent on God. This meditation is for you.
As we head into this meditation, in your mind or out loud, ask God now for the comfort and peace His Holy Spirit brings, and for His Word to bring light to your soul.
Now ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you as you meditate.
Our first meditation scripture is Psalm 139, verse 16. Your eyes saw my unformed substance. In your book were written every one of them, the days that were formed for me when as yet there was none of them.
Repeat that scripture after me, out loud or in your mind.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance.
In your book were written every one of them.
The days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.
Again: Your eyes saw my unformed substance.
In your book were written every one of them.
The days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.
One more time, slowly. Your eyes saw my unformed substance.
In your book were written every one of them.
The days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.
Allow those words to sink in, to penetrate. into your heart and your mind to nourish your spirit, and ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you through this.
And now we meditate. Keeping this scripture on your screen, I’m going to pose two questions, which you can use as a springboard for your meditation. Take the questions, try and answer them, but also keep your mind open to however the Holy Spirit may wish to direct your attention and your thoughts.
First question: What does this scripture tell us about God’s plans?
Second question: How does this scripture apply to your situation and your grief?
Our next scripture is Matthew 19, verse 14. But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven."
Again, please repeat that scripture after me, out loud, or in your head: But Jesus said,
"Let the little children come to me,
and do not hinder them,
for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven."
One more time. "But Jesus said,
Let the little children come to me,
and do not hinder them,
for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven."
And a final time, more slowly: But Jesus said,
"Let the little children come to me.
And do not hinder them,
for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven."
Savour those words. These are the words of Jesus our Lord Himself.
Again, we’ll use a question to guide our thoughts as we meditate. Remember to remain open to the Holy Spirit for whatever He might show you.
The question is: How does God feel about children?
Our third and final scripture is taken from that most famous of Psalms, Psalm 23. Psalm 23, verse 4: Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Repeat that after me. Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me.
Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Once more: Even though I walk,
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me.
Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Third and final time, slowly: Even though I walk,
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me.
Your rod and your staff they comfort me.
It’s with good reason that many people, believers and non-believers alike turn to this passage in times of deepest mourning. Holy Spirit, please show my friend what you wish to reveal today.
And some questions once more to guide our meditation. First question: How do you know that God is with you right now?
Second question: How can God’s rod and staff comfort you?
Third question: Why don’t we need to fear evil, not even death?
We know that meditation doesn’t cause our grief to evaporate. Rather, it reminds us that God is with us in our suffering. As you grieve now, my precious friend, can I pray for you?
Lord Jesus, truly, you are the Good Shepherd, and you know your flock, including your dear child who waits on you now. Please bring your comfort, your reassurance, your words of peace. Please speak to your child deeply, so your words reach the most tender places of the heart.
God, you give and you take away and we will bless your name. You alone are worthy of praise. You are high and mighty and yet… you stoop so low to us. You see us in our weakness and our suffering. You are not a distant God – no, you are a loving Father.
Please reveal your love to my dear friend right now and in increasing measure. Please bring assurance of your presence and your loving care.
In the days and weeks ahead, Lord, please make it clear how you walk alongside us in our mourning. And how, one day, that mourning will be turned into dancing, however far off that might seem right now. Amen.
Please take some time now to offer your own prayer to God to pour out your heart, or just wait on Him with an open soul.
And finally, may the peace of God rest on you now. May you know the blessing of the comfort of the Holy Spirit. May the joy of your salvation be as real to you now in your grief as it was in your conversion. And as time passes, may God work his miracle of healing in your life and in your heart.
May God bless you. Amen.
