----- Original Message -----

From: J Hum

To: grief group

Sent: Wednesday, November 01, 2006 6:21 AM

Subject: [Grief_Group] What to do next?

Greetings Group in the name of the Lord!

I hope you're all doing well.

I know with the holiday season coming up, we're entering a tough period where the loss of loved ones stands out even greater than at other times of the year. My prayers is that God’s love would be evident to you this season that you aren’t alone, but God is, in fact, very near to those that love him.

Something jumped out at me in my readings this morning.

I had just finished Deuteronomy and was entering Joshua when the words, “now after Moses died…” stopped me. The children of Israel had been wandering 40 years and now they were ready to enter into the promise. However, this was predicated on the death of their leader.

Never mind these people had questioned his leadership every step of the 40-year way, he was still their leader and they had a deep grief with losing the one God was directing. No doubt a whole host of challenges accompanied the loss of Moses, for the people that were to go on—including Joshua.

But something that struck me as interesting was where Moses died. In chapter 34 of Deuteronomy, God took him to the top of Mt. Nebo where Moses was shown the Promised Land. Some might say that was cruel and that God was teasing him, but it’s not it at all. God was showing Moses that the people coming up were going to succeed. They were going to make the Land promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. It would have been teasing if God didn’t have a greater plan for Moses (and even greater land!), but this was to let the man die in peace knowing the others would go on.

So then Joshua opens up with them entering the Promised Land, but the clear instruction is “Do Not Fear,” and, “Be Courageous and go in!” It got me thinking about dreams and aspirations our loved ones that have died might have for us?

I believe God showed Moses so he could know his followers were going in. It was a demonstration of God’s faithfulness that he would take care of those under Moses’ care. God is with us today, and our loved ones that have died would be cheering louder than any that we can make it. We can make the dreams and goals we have for our life—dreams and goals they had for us too—and God is going to be the provider.

What we’re doing in our life is not going to be lost for our loved ones that have gone on, but it’s going to be a great point of fellowship and joy when we’re all reunited one day in God’s glorious, eternal Kingdom!

Grace and peace be with you this day.

John

 

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