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Scripture

Grief

Passages for mourning. Several of them are simply God being near, without an explanation attached.

7 passages, chosen by hand. Others could have been chosen.

Psalm 34:18KJV

Verse 18. The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

Nearness, offered before any comfort is explained.

Matthew 5:4KJV

Verse 4. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

John 11:33–35KJV

Verse 33. When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, Verse 34. And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. Verse 35. Jesus wept.

Jesus weeps at a grave he is about to open. Grief is not treated as a failure of faith.

Psalm 147:3KJV

Verse 3. He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.

Psalm 23:1–6KJV

Verse 1. [A Psalm of David.] The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. Verse 2. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. Verse 3. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Verse 4. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Verse 5. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Verse 6. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Read at more funerals than any other passage. The valley is walked through rather than avoided.

2 Corinthians 1:3–4KJV

Verse 3. Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Verse 4. Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

Revelation 21:4KJV

Verse 4. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

The end of the story, which is not the same as an answer for today.

Elsewhere in Journey 2 Christ