Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Chronicles 7:20-29.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Chronicles%207&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“The sons of Ephraim were Shuthelah and Bered his son, Tahath his son, Eleadah his son, Tahath his son, Zabad his son, Shuthelah his son, and Ezer and Elead whom the men of Gath who were born in the land killed, because they came down to take their livestock.  Their father Ephraim mourned many days, and his relatives came to comfort him.  Then he went in to his wife, and she conceived and bore a son, and he named him Beriah, because misfortune had come upon his house.  His daughter was Sheerah, who built lower and upper Beth-horon, also Uzzen-sheerah.  Rephah was his son along with Resheph, Telah his son, Tahan his son, Ladan his son, Ammihud his son, Elishama his son, Non his son and Joshua his son.”  1 Chronicles 7:20-27. 

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In today’s Scripture, we read about Ephraim’s grief caused by the men of Gath killing two of his sons:  Ezer and Elead.  We also read about different ways that Ephraim was comforted.

First, we read that “his relatives came to comfort him.”  Second, we read:  “Then he went in to his wife, and she conceived and bore a son”.  Third, we read;  “His daughter was Sheerah, who built lower and upper Beth-horon, also Uzzen-sheerah.”

How can we use today’s Scripture to consider how we can be helped when we experience grief?

First, most importantly, let us consider that it is God Who is “God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction” and that He does so in different ways, including but not limited to using family and friends to comfort us. 

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”  2 Corinthians 1:3-4.  

Let us appreciate small specific comforts. Sometimes, we don’t need much help and comfort; just a boost to get us to the next day or week. “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34.

Here are two small personal examples of what family and friends did for me which comforted me, both happened many years ago. When my mother died, my wife simply framed a photo of my mother in her twenties and put it on top of our family room bookcase. That small gesture made me think of my mother in heaven with new immortal body and greatly comforted me. When a check did not arrive in the mail and I was hungry and very discouraged, a friend took me to a church social lunch that was suppose to be for the social group only, and he invited me to sit down and eat lunch for free. That small boost got me to the next day when the check did arrive.

Let us not only value our sons or more generally certain family members. What Ephraim’s daughter, Sheerah, did (“who built lower and upper Beth-horon, also Uzzen-sheerah”) was likely unexpected but benefited Ephraim.  We are reminded what Ruth did for her mother-in-law, Naomi, who lost two of her sons, generally in helping her so much over a long time and also specifically when she gave birth to Obed, the father of Jesse, the father of David.

“Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed is the LORD who has not left you without a redeemer today, and may his name become famous in Israel. May he (Obed) also be to you a restorer of life and a sustainer of your old age;  for your daughter-in-law (Ruth), who loves you and is better to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.”  Ruth 4:14-15.

So to speak, we naturally want our cheese to come from one place.  But, we need to recognize that God sometimes moves our cheese around to build up our faith in Him.  Thus, we should keep our eyes open and appreciate that God may help us in different ways, sometimes in very unusual and unexpected ways. We should trust God and not only trust that the location of the cheese will always stay the same. 

In conclusion, most importantly, let us consider that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is very familiar with grief and is able and willing to help us.

“3 He was despised and forsaken of men,
A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief;
And like one from whom men hide their face
He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.

4 Surely our griefs He Himself bore,
And our sorrows He carried;
Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken,
Smitten of God, and afflicted.
5 But He was pierced through for our transgressions,
He was crushed for our iniquities;
The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him,
And by His scourging we are healed.” Isaiah 53:3-5.

“And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”  Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.”  2 Corinthians 12:9. 

“Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you;
He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.” Psalm 55:22.

“18 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted
And saves those who are crushed in spirit.

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
But the LORD delivers him out of them all.” Psalm 34:18-19.

“Peace I leave with you;  My peace I give to you;  not as the world gives do I give to you.  Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”  John 14:27.