ASLC Devotions -- Tuesday

2 Samuel 1:11-12
¹¹Then David took hold of his clothes and tore them; and all the men who were with him did the same. ¹²They mourned and wept, and fasted until evening for Saul and for his son Jonathan, and for the army of the Lord and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.

Yesterday's scripture told of the deep love and friendship between David and Jonathan, a friendship that drove David to send Jonathan away for safety. Today, though, we learn that Jonathan and his father Saul have died in war. How do we respond when we learn of the death of a loved one? There is, of course, a range of emotions and reactions -- some determined by circumstance and some by culture. Few people today tear their clothing in grief, but in some times and places that was a common response to deep grief.

While our responses to grief vary, our mourning and weeping, our anger and relief are all normal. What becomes important is that we do grieve -- in whatever way we are able -- to the losses in our lives. May God's presence bring comfort to us all in our times of grief.

Peace,
Pastor Jenn