Category Archives: Sorrow

Affection, Bible, Death, Emotions, Gentleness, Joy, Mourning, Scripture, Sorrow, Tears

MOURNING – NOT JUST A WOMAN THING

ZECHARIAH 12:14

“all the families that are left, every family by itself, and their wives by themselves.”

Okay, let me ask you something. How many of you grew up being told that real men don’t cry? I can remember my own, dear mother telling me, “Now, now, big boys don’t cry.” I know she meant well and was just trying to comfort me. After all, no one wants to be a cry baby, right? But emotions are felt by all.

In Zechariah 12:12-14, Zechariah says five times, “and their wives by themselves.” Now no one during those days would have been surprised by that. In fact, there were women who were professional mourners. So, why does Zechariah point the women out. Perhaps he wanted to say that so that it would highlight the other mourners, the men. Mind you – this is just my speculation, but it is a thought.

APPLICATION

Let me address the men today. Listen to me – big boys do cry. There is nothing weak about shedding a tear. There is nothing unmanly about showing sorrow and grief. In fact, one of the manliest things you can do is show appropriate emotion when it is called for.

Do I have to remind you of John 11:35. “Jesus wept.” Our Lord and Savior wept at the grave of his dear friend Lazarus. He did not weep because of Lazarus’ death. That would soon be overturned. He knew before He even left for Bethany that He would call forth Lazarus from that tomb. He wept because of the sorrow He saw in the faces of Mary and Martha and others. His heart was touched by that.

I used to get asked to sing a lot at funerals. I seldom had a problem doing that without getting choked up, even if I knew the person well. But if I started looking at the loved ones as I sang, I could easily get teary eyed. Sorrow and grief, men, is a natural emotion God has given us. Show other men how powerful it can be in their lives as you love on others during these times.

Father, thank You for the power of sorrow. It prepares the way for joy!

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Belief, Bible, Death, Grief, Scripture, Sorrow, Uncategorized, Worship

WORSHIPFUL MOURNING

ZECHARIAH 12:13

“the family of the house of Levi by itself and their wives by themselves; the family of the Shimeites by itself and their wives by themselves;”

As a minister for over four decades, I have had ample opportunities to come alongside a family or individual during their time of loss. There are few moments as tender as when you are standing beside someone as their loved one transitions from this life to the next. As much as you pray beforehand and prepare for the moment, there is still a huge jolt for them as that time arrives. Real ministry is done at these times.

Why do I mention that? Because in today’s verse, Zechariah mentions the house of Levi and the Shimeites. These were part of the priestly line in Judah and are representative of that group. Mourning (the theme the past few verses) was not just a national thing or even a personal thing. It is a worshipful moment. The priests knew that and could show the people how to mourn and give God praise.

APPLICATION

We are to give praise in all things. I know! I know! That is easier said than done. But if God tells us we can do something, then it is possible. James 1:2-4 tells us, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith will produce endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

So, how do you give praise, how do you worship and mourn at the same time? You point all your grief heavenward. You acknowledge your God above all things. There is probably one of the best illustrations of this in the book of Job. After Job has suffered great loss (property, livestock and all of his children), this is what happens in Job 1:20-22.

“20 Then Job got up, tore his robe, and shaved his head; then he fell to the ground and worshiped. 21 He said, ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.’ 22 Despite all this, Job did not sin, nor did he blame God.”

Don’t miss that last line – “nor did he blame God.” Remember, as you worship in your mourning that God never inflicts harm on His children. He only wants to comfort and console us during these times of grief. Mourn, for sure, but as you do, worship the Lord Almighty who is and was and is to come.

Father, I worship You, no matter my circumstance, no matter my grief.

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Affection, Bible, Crying, Joy, Scripture, Sorrow, Tears

THE REST OF THESE HORSES

ZECHARIAH 6:3

“with the third chariot white horses, and with the fourth chariot strong spotted horses.”

Emotions – they get the best of us, don’t they? I’m a crier. I’ve shared that before. I can cry at the slightest thing. Hallmark commercials make me cry. That old Maxwell House coffee commercial with the young man coming home at Christmas and slipping through the kitchen door, surprising everyone – oh man – waterworks for me, lol.

Why am I talking about crying? Because these last two horses – white and spotted – could cause tears to fall. The white horse can represent joy and victory, two things that bring about tears. It also represented the empire of Alexander the Great, who for the most part was gentle to the Jews. The spotted horse means a mixture of emotions, both good and bad. It also stood for Rome, who in itself was a mixture of all the nations it had conquered.

APPLICATION

What drives your emotions, your tears? When was the last time you cried over a lost soul? The western society manhood card says men cannot cry. Excuse me, but that is just plain baloney. Real men are not afraid to cry. They aren’t afraid to get vulnerable. But we can also cry for those joyous moments. We don’t have it recorded in Scripture, but can’t you just imagine those disciples around the campfire with Jesus after His resurrection? There had to be some tears of joy going on.

Our emotions range from sadness to joy, and both can be expressed through tears. Jesus wept in sorrow over Jerusalem. We know He wept at the tomb of Lazarus (John 11:35). Do you want to be like Jesus? Then be willing to show your emotions. Cry a little. Laugh a lot. (I just believe Jesus had a great sense of humor.)

Joy and mixed emotions were portrayed by those two horses. That must be important for us. Will you join me in crying tears of joy in knowing all that Christ has done for us? Will you join me in crying tears of sorrow at the estate of our world right now? But let’s not just cry. When we are done and have wiped our eyes and nose, let’s put those tears into action. Let’s tell the greatest story every told to everyone. Let’s get a response out of them. Hopefully, that will bring even more tears of joy!

Tears of joy flow down my cheeks as I think of all You have done for me, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

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Abiding, Battles, Bible, Grief, Scripture, Sorrow

SORROWFUL

ZEPHANIAH 3:18

“‘I will gather those who are worried about the appointed feasts—they came from you, Zion; the disgrace of exile is a burden on them.’”

Some things grieve my heart. When I see a child that has been abused, I grieve over the pain they have suffered. When I see injustice around me, I grieve for justice to be done. When I see a loved one suffering due to a loss in their life, it grieves me. Have you grieved over anything lately? Grief affects us all differently, doesn’t it?

In today’s verse, we see the Lord saying He would “gather those who are worried.” The Hebrew meaning of the word that is translated “worried” is sorrowful, grieving or afflicted. That really changes this verse, doesn’t it? I believe “worried” is not the best translation for this word. This remnant wasn’t just worried. They were grieving “about the appointed feast.” They were broken-hearted.

APPLICATION

Paul writes to the Thessalonians and says in his first letter “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as indeed the rest of mankind do, who have no hope.” Sure, we grieve but not like the world. Our grief is soothed by our Lord Jesus. He knows our pain and heals us.

As I said earlier, grief affects each of us differently. Some people get stuck in their grief for decades. Others seem to push through it in months. The circumstance that caused the grief can determine the longevity of the grief and sorrow also. Take a moment to examine your life. Are you grieving over something right now? Is there anything you can do to end your grieving? Is there someone you can talk to?

Matthew 11:28-30 is a perfect passage for us regarding our suffering and grief. “28 ‘Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.  30 For My yoke is comfortable, and My burden is light’” Rest in Him.

I am thankful, Lord, that my grief does not depend on me to end. I come to You, the Healer of my soul.

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