Grief is a natural response when we experience loss. It reflects the love and feelings we have for the one who was lost. Grief is often defined as a process or cycle that we pass through. Trouble comes when we are unable to move through this process. However, God’s presence offers us hope in times of suffering. Paul in I Thessalonians 4:13 tells us not to grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. We may grieve our losses, but we grieve differently – Christians grieve with hope.

Psalm 116:1-4 in these verses we find the term “Sheol.” This is the Hebrew term describing the dreary, shadowy place that the dead inhabit. Often translated as the grave (Hades in the NT) it was the transitional dwelling place for the dead both the wicked and the righteous. This place was not beyond the reach of God and the righteous would one day be saved from Sheol (Psalm 49:15, 86:13). The wicked dead would then move to their eternal punishment after the judgement.

A key theme we see throughout Psalm 116 is “calling out to the LORD.” Whenever the writer found himself in despair or turmoil his instinct was to “call out” for rescue (vs. 2, 4, 13 and 17). The psalmist expressed his love for God. God was near him and attentive to his cries. God even turns His ear toward us to listen. We could say God is the ultimate example of a whole-body listener. We also see the psalmist is persistent in his cries. He commits to calling out as long he is alive. We must note that God does not always remove the trial or trouble at our request. There are many biblical examples of those who experienced hardships but remained faithful: Job, Jeremiah, Stephen, Paul, and the Apostles to name a few. It may be cliché but sometimes God calms the storm and other times He calms His child.

His cry is in verse 4 is simple and direct, “Lord save me!” These are the same words Peter called out as he was sinking in the water. This is a result of the desperation he felt. He paints a powerful word picture of the ropes of death entangling him and overpowering him as he struggles. His cry signifies dependence on God above all else. When we are overcome, God is present listening for us to call out to Him.

Verses 5-9 In verses 8-9 we read that the psalmist is rescued from death. The thing he had feared the most (v. 3) no longer had a grasp on him. God had wiped away his tears and he was able to walk without stumbling. We can receive life just as he did. Death has no hold on us and the sting of it is removed by God (I Corinthians 15:54-56). This is possible through the benevolence of God who is: gracious, righteous, and compassionate (v. 5). These three terms are related but taken together they tell us God is gracious to answer prayer not based on our merit but on our asking. His righteousness will not allow Him to do anything that may violate His own principles (we can depend on Him totally). His compassion is seen in His merciful kindness towards us. Because of His goodness towards us we can find rest and peace in Him. The 23^rd Psalm tells us in verse 2 - He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside still waters, and He restores my soul. He is the Good Shepherd who guides our paths throughout this life. The Lord has been good to all of us. He can be no other way. 

The lesson closes this week with a familiar verse we sometimes hear at a funeral. Psalm 116:15 tells us the death of one of the saints is “precious in the sight of the LORD.” This relates the value that God places on His people. He is the giver of life and He suffered greatly to provide for us the gift of eternal life. In verse 16 the psalmist promises to live as a servant to the One who has “loosened my bonds.” An illustration from the Evangelism Explosion presentation is called “Beggar’s Hand and Gratitude.” It simply states like a beggar we stretched out our hands to receive a gift from the King. I didn’t deserve or earn the gift, but my life will be lived as an expression thanksgiving for that gift.

This may seem as if I’ve wandered from the topic, but maybe not. When it comes to grief, we as believers grieve with an eternal perspective in mind. Yes, we experience pain and loss, but we know it is only temporary. James said our life is as a vapor, here one moment and gone the next. Gone but not ended. We again have hope because we know that this is not the end of anything, but when the believer leaves here, he or she is transitioning to a heavenly home with their Savior. In the meantime, for those who are still here we have the promise of the Holy Spirit to give us comfort when we are in need.

This provision is the fulfillment of our lesson point: God responds to our sorrow with grace and compassion. He has not left us alone or forgotten us. He is our refuge, strength and ever-present help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1).

EXTRA: The testimony of Duane Miller came to mind as I typed this today. Maybe someone else will benefit from his story. Rev. Miller was a pastor who lost his ability to speak due to a flu virus. This caused him to lose his ministry and livelihood. He could only speak quietly with a rasp. He was miraculously healed while teaching a Sunday school class at First Baptist Church in Houston, Texas which was being recorded at the time. The passage that day was from Psalm 103 and how God redeemed David’s life from the pit.

Please take 12 minutes to click the link below to listen to and read Duane Miller’s story.