WHERE IS YOUR STING?Speaker: Dr. Paul Dhinakaran Gist: In order to take the bitterness of death from each one of us, He travelled through the valley of death. Did He dwell in the bitterness of death? Was death able to contain Him? NO! "Lord! Don't You have mercy upon us? Lord! Don't You have compassion upon us? These were the same questions that my parents and I asked the Lord when I lost my beloved sister Angel. Why this suffering? Why should this accident occur? My sister Angel had written in her diary, "Everyday my father kisses me. I value the kisses very much in my life." We read these words only after her demise. When my father saw those words, overwhelmed with sorrow he lamented and wept saying, "Dear Angel! Have you left us all alone? Have you left your papa alone in this world? How can I ever kiss you? Where have you gone? "
When my sister died in an accident, they placed her body in the hospital. I went and saw her but it was unbelievable to me. "Is this my sister? Has she died? I am unable to believe this" with these thoughts in my mind I was greatly troubled. A nurse came running and others followed her. They touched the face of my sister and were weeping. "Oh what a lovely countenance she has! Alas! She has left us!" Blood was oozing out. They kept wiping it away and wept.
Loss is irreplaceable because it always remains a raw wound. In such a situation and with such a frame of mind, what is anyone's belief? What was the belief that we had? Even in such troubled times, the loving Lord Jesus Christ encourages us by saying, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted" Matthews 5:4. Yes, blessed are those who mourn because the Lord Himself comes in search of such people. The Creator Himself comes in search of us because only He can comfort us. It is only at that time that we are able to see the Lord. When we mourn surely the Lord descends among us. The Lord came in search of our family.
One day when we were praying as a family, the Lord Jesus Christ appeared and spoke to us. He said, "My dear children, I have come to mourn along with you. I am also crying with you. But if you ask Me 'why?' you cannot comprehend nor envision the answer that I would tell you. Therefore I have come to console you. I will be with you and make you all live. I will build your family again and bless your family with children." A divine peace filled us. From that day onwards we began a new life not for our sakes but for others.
Thereby the Lord enveloped us with His comfort and consolation from all sides. The Lord who has been using us to comfort others will also console your family and make you live. He will remove your sorrows because He has passed through the same path. The Lord Himself walked through the same path of loneliness, which you have been now facing.
It is for this reason that He came down to this earth in the form of a man. Look at Him as He hung on the cross of Calvary with wounds because of the nails that pierced his hands and legs. He looked at the Father and said, "My Father, My Father, Why has Thou forsaken Me? I am God yet I have come in the form of a human being into this world."
He came to taste the bitterness of death for the sake of everyone and destroy the bitter roots of death. He cried while travelling through the valley of death and knew the stings of death. Therefore He understands the cause for the tears of everyone. In order to take the bitterness of death from each one of us, He travelled through the valley of death.
Did He dwell in the bitterness of death? Was death able to contain Him? NO! According to Hebrews 2:14, ".... He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil." He rose up on the third day and lives forever more. He will grant you His life and make you live. Strengthen each other and comfort others who are travelling through the same path. He will make your life worthwhile and keep you as a source of comfort to others.
Prayer
Loving Lord,
I praise You today Lord because You are my all! I thank You for Your mercy, Your love, Your sacrifice for my sins, and making me Your child. You alone are worthy of comforting and blessing those who mourn. Restore joy in my heart and give me the strength from your Spirit to walk in Your truth. Enlighten the hearts of those who do not believe in Your sufferings on the cross of Calvary and are stumbling in the darkness. I know that you hear and answer my prayers, wash me clean, fill me with your gladness.
All glory, honour and praises belong to You.
Amen. |