Menu
Close
John 11:32-37 (NIV)
When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34 “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. 35 Jesus wept. 36 Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” 37 But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”
Additional Scripture References: 2 Kings 20:5, Matthew 10:29, Genesis 21:16-17, 1 Samuel 1:10, Psalm 6:6-9, Psalm 56:8, Hebrews 8:12, Psalm 121:3-4, Luke 7, John 16:20, 2 Corinthians 4:17, Revelation 21:4
Understanding and believing the truth of the goodness of God is more powerful than we could ever imagine. God is still good, even if grief is a reality of life. On earth, we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to know God as our savior and praise Him in spite of our suffering. God always works His purpose, for His Glory out of the worst circumstances. Jesus, who lost his dear friend, Lazarus, knew this. Being fully God and fully human did not stop him from experiencing grief upon learning Lazarus had died. Jesus not only identified with our sorrow but also modeled how to accept suffering while never losing faith. Although he wept, he firmly believed in God’s ability to make the impossible happen. As he called Lazarus out of the grave, we can see a picture of how God is in control, resurrecting even what appears to be dead.
One of the most powerful things you can do is praise God even while you grieve.
Not one sparrow falls to the ground apart from God’s notice and neither does one of your tears. Scripture tells us that God sees every tear that we cry and hears our hearts cry. In our pain, we can find peace in knowing God is well acquainted with our grief and gives us the grace to get through our suffering.
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. Matthew 10:29 (NIV)
Scripture tells us not only does Jesus see our tears, he catches them. We are so loved by our Heavenly Father, not one tear shed goes unnoticed by God. Not only does he empathize with us, He is moved to compassion giving us perfect peace in our crisis.
You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book? Psalm 56:8 (ESV)
Our Lord, Jesus Christ understands grief. He doesn’t just see our tears, catch our tears and turn our tears, but he promises to wipe them away! He transforms tears of sorrow into shouts of joy. Believing that God will turn our tears into shouts of joy does not mean that we no longer grieve, but does mean that we cling to him through the pain, and let every calamity crash us into his arms. As we endure crisis, we will stand before our maker in heaven, every tear wiped away for eternity.
This week challenge yourself to open up to God and share what is grieving your heart. Also, find a crew that can help you learn to navigate this grieving season, whether it is a Care Crew, or a regular Crew, God can use other people’s stories to encourage you and bring hope to your future.
VOUS SoMi
8:45AM / 10:30AM / 12:30PM / 6PM
VOUS City
10:30AM / 12:30PM / 6PM
VOUS Miami Gardens
10:30AM / 12:30PM
VOUS Design District
10:30AM / 12:30PM
Church Online
10AM / 5PM Español
Growth Track
After every service or join online at vouschurch.com/growthtrack
You’re invited to worship night with new VOUS Worship music! All are welcome.
Sunday, May 26
6:00PM
VOUS SoMi + VOUS City
We’re less than 50 days away from VOUSCon! Gather with thousands of like-minded leaders. Be equipped and empowered for the journey ahead.
June 20-22
Miami, FL
As we create an atmosphere that glorifies God, we create space for Him to move. As servant leaders, we carry the culture. Because we value Con, we invest in it.
