"Brief Devotions For Busy Lives" By the late Rev. Dr. Mary B. Johnson: Psalm 116:15-16

 November 26

​"The LORD cares deeply when his loved ones die. O LORD, I am your servant; yes, I am your servant, born into your household; you have freed me from my chains." - Psalm 116:15-16 (NLT)

​Loss is always difficult and can even be devastating. What is your experience with loss in the last few months or years? Fall can be a time of loss for some when we can often feel alone, isolated, fearful, anxious, or hopeless. We may also sometimes try to hide our feelings and pretend all is well. Loss can take many forms whether it is from unemployment, financial loss, loss of health, loss of mobility, loss of friends, or death of loved ones. Yet Psalm 116 tells us God cares and always stays near us whether we are aware of it or not. God stays close to us even in death. When someone we love has died, we may become angry, feel abandoned, or lose hope and begin to sink into despair. But we need to remember our loved ones are as precious to God as they are to us. Our Lord carefully chooses the time when they will be called into his presence. May this truth provide comfort whenever you've lost a loved one. Remember, God sees your pain and your tears and cries with you. Rest assured that each life is valuable and precious to our Lord. (Mth.10:29) The person who wrote Psalm 116 had been delivered from death and speaks from experience when he assures us God cares deeply when his loved ones die. He also affirms God has freed him from his chains of fear and despair that once surrounded his grief filled experiences with death and loss.

​God is closer than usual when we are experiencing the grief that loss brings. He is so responsive that you can always reach Him at any time or place. Our ever present Lord will bend down, listens to your voice, wrap you in eternal arms of comfort, and grant Peace. This Psalmist's love for the Lord had grown because he had experienced divine answers to his problems and prayers. If you are discouraged, remember God Almighty is near, listening carefully to every prayer, and answering each one in order to give you His best. Let go and let God remove your chains of despair, fear, grief, depression, hopelessness, or sorrow both today and everyday!

​Prayer: Lord, Touch me now with your healing love. Amen.

​Meditation For The Day: Loss devastates. God's love regenerates

​Brief Devotions For Busy Lives: Daily Fall Renewal (Volume 3) Paperback – August 23, 2017 by Rev. Dr. Mary B. Johnson (Author)