Purpose of Sorrow

"Happy are those who know what sorrow means, for they will be given courage and comfort." -J. B. Phillips

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. The word "mourn" has more then just a reference to sorrowing over a loved one; it includes all those experiences in life where we may feel crushed, broken or sorrowful.

You ask," Has the Lord allowed me to go through deep waters?" "Why should people who are caught up in the throes of distressing and sorrowful experiences be happy? But indeed the joy of the Lord is our strength. Yes, the joy of the Lord is our strength. David knew who his God is and proclaimed,” Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?" He came with the revelation of who God is, and there he ran towards Goliath from Gath, which speaks of oppression, and with a slingshot he felled the giant. If we want to get ahead in life, we need to fight some giants. God doesn't leave us alone to fight, He gave us His Word, the sword of the Spirit; just as David went against Goliath, he has the Word. He has to use the sword to cut Goliath head. God sent out His word to prepare us, to equip us.

When we are willing to experience sorrow and grief, then God is able to use these encounters to sensitise our spirits. Strength does not come from mountain peaking experiences but from every valley experience. I am, indeed, greatly fear this truth. I realised that they make me more concerned about myself than about others. However Scripture tells us that God permits pressure for a purpose, and that sorrow and grief will produce tremendous benefits in our lives. But provided we let them! They are worth much, much more than they cost.

Asaph says in the Psalms 81, with honey from the rock I would have satisfied you. We all know honey doesn't come from rock. For indeed out of the hardest place of our lives, that is where honey flows out. The joy comes from resisting come what may.

He is the rock of salvation, the stone of deliverance. Amen.