My dad passed away a year ago from pancreatic cancer. When we arrived at the graveside for a private family burial, the funeral director was waiting there with my dad’s cremated ashes. It was the first time we had seen the small urn that housed his remains. I suddenly became overwhelmed with grief. A caring family member looked me in the eye and quietly spoke these simple but reassuring words, “Remember, Dad’s not there.”
As I think back to that day, my mind goes to another graveside scene. It was early in the morning, still dark outside. A few women had gone to the tomb that housed the body of their dear friend and Lord—Jesus. But when they entered the tomb, they discovered that His body was gone (Luke 24:1-3).
Suddenly, “two men . . . clothed in dazzling robes” appeared to them and said, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead!” (Luke 24:4-6).
I know I’m going to see my dad again. Because of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, a day is coming when we’re going to be reunited—never to be separated again. And even though I still visit Dad’s grave on occasion (along with my mother’s—next to his), I know I can’t find him now, because he’s not there.
But unlike the location of my dad, I can find Jesus. He rose from His grave. And because He’s alive, anyone who seeks Him today can know Him. He’s our Sovereign Creator, our ruling King, and our gracious Savior who reveals Himself to those who look for Him “wholeheartedly” (Jeremiah 29:13). He alone can provide the peace, hope, and comfort that sustains us in the dark valleys of life.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Matthew 14:13-36
More:
Read Psalm 23:4 and note where the psalmist says God is as we walk through the dark valley.
Next:
How can you seek Jesus in whatever valley you’re going through today? What does it mean for you to know that God is with you in the valley?
Kathy @ In Quiet Places on July 17, 2013 at 9:12 am
“He alone can provide the peace, hope, and comfort that sustains us in the dark valleys of life.”
He can, and HE DOES.
tom felten on July 17, 2013 at 9:33 am
Jeff, this reminds me of what God has told us in Hebrews, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you” (Hebrews 13:5). Praise God for His presence in our lives.
Yovoyan Abraham on July 17, 2013 at 10:01 am
Yes! Jesus has risen from the dead, he is Lord. My hope is that, as we are dead to this sinful nature, we will also resurrect in glory.
Jeff Olson on July 17, 2013 at 10:12 am
It’s the same hope that Peter (on the day of Pentecost) reminded his audience that David looked ahead to (Acts 2:29-31).
Thankfully, David and Peter’s hope found in and through the resurrection of Jesus Christ is our hope too!
marilynmk on July 17, 2013 at 2:10 pm
Eventhough we do not have have hope in this world because of human infirmities,problems and everything .My hope is in Jesus Christ, that’s all it matters. He conquered them all.
ehdlive on July 18, 2013 at 12:19 am
The sting of death is limited only within this sin-marred world. It has no more grip in eternity where our real abode is.. Thank You, Jesus for the resurrection!
daisymarygoldr on July 18, 2013 at 8:51 am
My father had also said something similar to comfort us when our grandmother died. “She is not here but has gone to be with the Lord”. In that part of the world even funerals are opportunities for evangelism as the viewing of a corpse makes people to ponder about mortality and afterlife. Many unchurched neighbors and friends were at the graveside and the elder who conducted the burial shared my grandmother’s testimony along with the Good news of eternal life in Christ.
In my personal experience it is better to share your grief with others than to keep it bottled up within you. To me, my grandmother was the closest I will ever be with another human being. I mourned her death by sending letters to 10 non-Christian friends, telling them about my grief and the hope of seeing her again one day. In inviting my friends to think of the purpose of life here on earth and their eternal destiny, my grieving heart was greatly comforted.
Also, sharing the light of Christ prevented me from going through the dark valley. Some of us don’t have the privilege of living close to family members or visiting the graves of our loved ones as God constantly keeps us moving from place to place. No qualms or complaints. As you rightly pointed out, it is pointless to look among the dead for someone who is alive. Jesus said “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.” (John 11:25).
Jeff Olson on July 18, 2013 at 9:41 am
daisymarygoldr, sorry to hear about the loss of your grandmother…she obviously was very special to you.
Yes, it’s better to share our grief than to bottle it up…writing this post has been for me what writing the 10 letters to your friend was for you.
winn collier on July 22, 2013 at 5:21 pm
The very center of our hope.