Ecclesiates. 3:1-8; Acts 17:26 - "Bring The Rain"

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 

There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens:

2 

    a time to be born and a time to die,
    a time to plant and a time to uproot,

3 

    a time to kill and a time to heal,
    a time to tear down and a time to build,

4 

    a time to weep and a time to laugh,
    a time to mourn and a time to dance,

5 

    a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

6 

    a time to search and a time to give up,
    a time to keep and a time to throw away,

7 

    a time to tear and a time to mend,
    a time to be silent and a time to speak,

8 

    a time to love and a time to hate,
    a time for war and a time for peace.

Another funeral...  The last eight months have been filled with funerals.  Some of them have been harder than others as we have ministered to so many families.  Some families have had multiple deaths.  It’s so hard to be hit with a second or third death in a family within a short amount of time.  

The thing we all have to remember is that death is a natural part of life.  Life has changes all the time but death is one of the hardest to accept.  If a loved one had been sick and the death is expected, it’s hard.  If the death of a loved one is unexpected, it’s hard.  Plain and simple.  Death is hard.  It is hard because it causes separation.  It is hard because it causes change in our daily living.  Sometimes the change is purely an act of God while other times the change comes about due to the will of man.  No matter which way it comes about the Lord is always part of the process.  

From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.  Acts 17:26

Knowing God could keep a loved one on this earth instead of dying is one of the biggest questions people have during the time of the death of their loved one.  “Why?” is often asked.  Sometimes it’s “Why didn’t the Lord heal them?”  Sometimes it’s, “Why did the Lord allow them to die?”  Those are questions we can’t answer unless the Lord specifically gives us the answer.  One of the deaths a few months ago the Lord gave me words to comfort the family as to “why” their son died.  I was grateful for the peace those words gave to them.

One thing we need to remember is that everyone grieves differently.  Some grieve through tears while others grieve through smiles.  Some grieve for many months while others seem to take a less time to get back into life in a new way.  No matter what, people need to allow the Lord to help them in the healing process.  I pray they will sing Mercy Me’s “Bring The Rain” with a renewed hope in You.  

And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain

Dear Jesus,

I pray for the family going through the funeral today.  I also pray for the family who lost a loved one last night.  Lord, I pray for the families who continue to grieve over the loss of a loved one.  Father, enable them to find Your peace in the path of healing they are on.  Lord, just as this song says I pray they will be able to praise You through the changes happening in their lives.  I pray for Your words for those who minister to them.  Father, be so real to all involved.  Thank You Jesus for being My Everything.  Amen.