Sunday

10 Bible Verses of Encouragement in Times of Bereavement



We all need encouragement and the best place to go is to the Bible.

In this blog Post I have tried to gather some Bible passages or Bible verses which will encourage us all when we are grieving over a bereavement.







I do believe that we should not just grab a verse and read it on its own but we should always lift our bibles and read a passage of scripture to make sure that we know the real meaning and context of each of the verses we are putting our trust in. 

I pray that you will do the same and only use this list to guide you as to where you may find help.



So here are 10 Bible verses or short passages for us to turn to in times of  Bereavement



1.   John 11 v 1-44     

Starting off with this passage in John's Gospel where we have the story of the death of the friend of Jesus, look it up, read it through and then focus in on these two sections:

When Jesus comes and is confronted by Martha the sister of Lazarus who believed that if Jesus had been there earlier her brother would not have died  v. 21-24

21 Now Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.”23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”24 Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

Even though she was upset that Lazarus was dead she still knew the authority Jesus held.

We are naturally and emotionally upset and hurt and distraught in the death of a loved one but we can still have the same belief and trust in Jesus as we did before the event.


Jesus then comforts her with the hope of the future  v. 25-26 and remember these are the words of Jesus








Martha's answer is not a simple yes answer to His question but instead it is a statement of what she believes  v. 27



27 She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”


and because of what she believes she has faith in Jesus.


Then Mary speaks to Jesus in a similar way v 32


32 Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”


Both sisters had faith in Jesus.

But we are not left with that, and then Jesus could show His power and raise Lazarus from the dead.  

No!

We then have the shortest verse in the Bible but one which shows more than you could think 2 short words could  v 35


Jesus Wept


Before the joyous act of resurrection we witness the feelings of grief and sorrow that Jesus shared with these two sisters.

May we always remember
 He shares our grief and our sorrow too.





2.   Matthew 5 v 4
    
In the Beatitudes the second blessing is on those who mourn - Jesus cares and He promises comfort.









3.   Isaiah 25 v 8

Even in the Old Testament it was proclaimed that God would destroy death.      
It has always been in His plan.


He will swallow up death forever,

And the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces;

The rebuke of His people

He will take away from all the earth;

For the Lord has spoken.





4.   Revelation 21 v 4    


Not only is God concerned with our sadness over a death of a loved one or friend at any time but the Bible shows us that He also wants us to look forward to a time when there will be no more death







God has given us a Hope in the future even over death.





5.   John 14 v 1-3


This was my father-in-law's favourite portion of scripture and it should be loved by us all, such assurance that death is not the end.





Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 
In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 




Jesus has already prepared that place for us because He did it by going to the cross.

At the cross His work for our salvation was finished.






6.   1 Corinthians 15 v 52 - 57

There is a resurrection for the saints.


52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 
55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 
56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 
57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.


No matter how death leaves us so distraught it does not last forever when we are in Christ and the grave cannot hold the saints just as it could not hold the Saviour.

God prepared the way for all of this through Jesus.



7.   Lamentations 3 v 31 - 33

God allows us to go through grief at different times.


31 
31 For the Lord will not cast off forever. 
32 Though He causes grief,Yet He will show compassion according to the multitude of His mercies.  
33 For He does not afflict willingly, Nor grieve the children of men.

However in Mercy He will be compassionate toward us.





8.   John 6 v 39 - 40


God's Will and plan was established long before the Cross and His assurance was that the saints would be safe in the hands of Christ.








Jesus knew the Will of the Father and looked forward to the time when He would raise us up because we trusted in Him.






9.   1 Thessalonians 4 v 13 - 14


In our grief and sorrow over a death of a loved one we need to remember what Paul wrote to the Thessalonians and the words are still true today.


13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.  
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.


For those who had trusted in Christ there is resurrection with Him and that is our great Hope.











Then we must also remember that we should always consider how God cares for each of us in our bereavement and grief.

So to finish here is a verse for us to be encouraged to use to encourage others because of these words straight from Jesus.




10.   John 16 v 22



Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and
 your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.



Jesus knows our sorrow but also knows the the effect of the joy that we will have when we see Him face to face.

Such a promise for the future.