The Upper Room Devotion for Thursday, May 16, 2024, was written by Dineo Nduna of Gauteng, South Africa.
Scripture
1 In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz came to him, and said to him, “Thus says the Lord: Set your house in order, for you shall die; you shall not recover.” 2 Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord: 3 “Remember now, O Lord, I implore you, how I have walked before you in faithfulness with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight.” Hezekiah wept bitterly. 4 Before Isaiah had gone out of the middle court, the word of the Lord came to him: 5 “Turn back, and say to Hezekiah prince of my people, Thus says the Lord, the God of your ancestor David: I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; indeed, I will heal you; on the third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord.
2 Kings 20:1-5 NRSV
Author's Thoughts
My elder brother's death was the first big loss we experienced as a family, and his death hit us hard. It was difficult to imagine not being able to see or talk to my brother - even for him to annoy me, as he did most of the time. In the weeks following my brother's death, I held on to these words in Isaiah 43:2 - "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you; When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." The river of death certainly didn't sweep over us; instead through my brother's death my family remembered how much we loved him, and we started healing together as a family. My brother's passing brought to light what was important, and we tried to rebuild and reconnect as a family. We have been praying for healing. Following my brother's death, God's healing power has drawn my family together in love.
Pastor Anthony's Thoughts
Friends,
The loss of a loved is a jarring experience, especially when the loss is sudden and unexpected. In those moments of anguish, it can be difficult to imagine a time where the pain will end. Making our situations more challenging, are the well-intentioned but confusing words of comfort offered by some people of faith. "God's ways are not our ways." "God must have needed another rose for the Heavenly Garden." "We cannot question God's will; we just have to accept it." These and other phrases often cause us more frustration than they offer us comfort. Dineo's reflection reminds us that God is present with us during our seasons of grief and sorrow, offering us the comfort we need amid our many questions. God is not the architect of our pain, rather God is the conduit of our peace. May we all seek to be God's ambassadors of peace and comfort to those who grieve, remembering that we do not need to say anything we simply need to be present.
Author's Prayer
Dear God, thank you for your healing presence in our times of bereavement and for the assurance that you will always be with us. Amen.
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