ODB: joy in the midst of grief
November 14, 2009
READ: Ezra 3:10-13
The people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping. —Ezra 3:13
After only a few art lessons, 10-year-old Joel decided to try his hand at painting a flower. By looking at a color photograph of a Rose of Sharon, Joel was able to paint a beautiful mixture of blue, purple, red, green, and white. This made the flower, which had been photographed on the day Joel’s aunt died, seem to come to life. To the family, his painting symbolized a bittersweet mixture of feelings. While it provided a lasting reminder of the loss they had suffered, it also carried a celebration of Joel’s newly discovered artistic gift. The painting gave joy in the midst of grief.
When the people of Judah returned to Jerusalem from captivity in Babylon, they too had a bittersweet experience. As they began rebuilding Solomon’s temple, many in the crowd sang songs of praise. At the same time, some older people, who had seen the beauty of the original temple that had been destroyed by war, wept aloud. We are told that “the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping” (Ezra 3:13).
Grieving can be like that. While there is sadness in looking back, it also includes a promise of joy in trusting God for the future. Even in a devastating loss, we have this hope: The Lord provides joy in the midst of grief. — Dennis Fisher
Even in the bleakest times, Christians have the brightest hope.
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Loading ...ODJ: the first cut
The two are united into one (v.24).
READ: Genesis 2:21-24
IIn 2003, Sheryl Crow covered the old Cat Stevens song “The First Cut Is the Deepest.” In this song, she bemoans her first love, who wounded her so deeply that she now struggles to feel anything. She wants to love again, but because her heart is broken she doesn’t know if she ever can. The songwriter’s first love has moved on, inflicting the “first cut”—the anguish of a once-intimate relationship now ripped apart. It’s difficult to say which is more painful: an outright split, or the dutiful drudgery of existence found in a loveless relationship. God’s plan avoids these lesser alternatives. He calls a man and a woman to join together in a permanent, fulfilling union that is filled with spiritual significance.
Our inherent yearning for a lifelong soul mate is rooted in the way we were created. Genesis 2 tells us that the woman was literally created from the man’s rib—from him. “This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one” (v.24). In light of this, a broken marital relationship isn’t a cut; it’s more like an amputation!
More than that, marriage is a picture of Christ’s relationship with the church. We’re all wired for relationship with God. The apostle Paul elaborates on Genesis 2:24 by writing, “This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one” (Ephesians 5:32).
“First Cut” concludes, “I’m sure gonna give you a try.” It’s hopeful, but there’s a hint of desperation too. When we commit our lives to Jesus, it’s not a relational experiment. We will find that He is enough. We can even find healing for the deep cuts of relationships gone bad. —Tim Gustafson
What does it mean to forgive? How can you tell that you’ve forgiven someone?
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