INTRODUCTION

When a loved one passes away, mourning serves as an important part of the healing process. However, believers should never sorrow in the same fashion as the world (1 Thessalonians 4:13But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
See All...), yet mourning is acceptable and proper when grieving the death of someone. In Bible times, people seemed to take mourning very seriously. In fact, the initial mourning period at times was quite lengthy (Genesis 50:3And forty days were fulfilled for him; for so are fulfilled the days of those which are embalmed: and the Egyptians mourned for him threescore and ten days.
See All...; Numbers 20:29And when all the congregation saw that Aaron was dead, they mourned for Aaron thirty days, even all the house of Israel.
See All...; Deuteronomy 34:8And the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days: so the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended.
See All...). There were even people whose purpose it was to assist in the mourning of those departed (Jeremiah 9:17Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Consider ye, and call for the mourning women, that they may come; and send for cunning women, that they may come:
See All...). Grieving is a natural part of man’s process in dealing with the loss of loved ones. Failure to give time to properly mourn often prolongs the process and hinders the individual from dealing with the loss.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): Mary and Martha were very sad. Their brother Lazarus had died. Friends came to comfort them. Jesus also came. Even though He knew He would raise Lazarus from the dead, He wept with them. He felt their sorrow. It is okay to cry when someone dies (John 11:19And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
  See All..., 31-36).
• (For everyone): Have you ever lost a loved one to death? How did you handle the loss? Did you take time to mourn? If not, did you find that the pain of the loss lingered over a longer period?
• Why is it crucial that we take the appropriate amount of time to mourn the loss of our loved ones? How can God help us during the time of mourning?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask God to help you see the importance of dealing with death.
• Thank God for the help He gives us in times of mourning.

HYMN

DOES JESUS CARE?

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