The Lord has sent me to comfort all who mourn. Isaiah 61:1,2 

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God.  2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Mourning is something that all people everywhere experience at some point. We often associate it with death of someone in our life. Many rituals exist across various cultures for funerals and commemorations. We can also mourn other things – a broken heart, the loss of a job we loved – but in general we mourn the loss of a person who was important in our lives.

There are said to be five stages of grief from denial to acceptance. Along the way there can be depression. How long do we mourn? For many, it takes at least a year to grieve. Birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas celebrations are different now without that person among us. For others, grief can seem never ending. People are helpful for a while, but then go back to their own concerns. God, however, is always there ready to comfort those who mourn. To console all of us so that we in turn can console others.

The prophet who wrote these verses near the end of Isaiah, is writing in the chapter termed “The  year of the Lord’s favor, a time when the prophet is sent to “bind up the brokenhearted, proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners.” He is to comfort all those who mourn. God cares about all those grieving,  as Jesus says in the Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4

Listening God, we place before you our cries for mercy and laments, wistful longings, and wavering faith. When our hearts are broken, you bind them up. Though at the end of our rope, we still trust in your promises, opening our entire beings to receive you anew. Help us to comfort others as you comfort and bless us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Chris Gabel

Ministries
Teaching Mission Party