A Ray of Hope on a Troubled Sea

Refrain Thy Voice From Weeping And Thine Eyes From Tears THE LORD through the Prophet Jeremiah sends a message of consolation for the heart of every bereaved parent trusting in him. We read, "A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping; Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted for her children because they were not. Thus, saith the Lord: Refrain thy voice from weeping and thine eyes from tears, for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the Lord; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy."-Jeremiah 31:15-17.

Sorrow for the dead is felt by every human heart. Even our Lord Jesus when on earth “wept” when Lazarus was dead because even though he would soon awaken him from the sleep of death he felt deeply the sorrow of Mary, Martha, as well as all the family and friends pained by this loss. "The whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together."

This and many scriptures speak of the comfort described-in the hope of a resurrection, the hope of the recovery of the dead-"They shall come again," from the land of the enemy, death, and they shall be restored to life.

That in death our dear ones who are now in "the land of the enemy", is in harmony with the Apostle's declaration, "The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death."-1 Corinthians 15:25, 26.

And text in Jeremiah tells us that the labors of the parents are not lost, "Thy work shall be rewarded." They will receive them back again from the grave. They shall hear the Lord’s voice and come forth, just as did Lazarus. John 5:28, 29 and John 11:43.

It is important to note the declaration that this is the Word of the Lord, which cannot be broken-the Word, which is sure of fulfilment. Though many have lost sight of this wonderful hope!

Hear what the scriptures say:

1 Corinthians 15:21-22; For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

John 11:23-25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Close your eyes for a moment to the scenes of misery and woe, degradation and sorrow that yet prevail on account of sin, and picture before your mental vision the glory of the perfect earth. Not a stain of sin mars the harmony and peace of a perfect society; not a bitter thought, not an unkind look or word; love, welling up from every heart, meets a kindred response in every other heart, and benevolence marks every act. There sickness shall be no more; not an ache nor a pain, nor any evidence of decay – not even the fear of such things. Think of all the pictures of comparative health and beauty of human form and feature that you have ever seen, and know that perfect humanity will be of still surpassing loveliness. The inward purity and mental and moral perfection will stamp and glorify every radiant countenance. Such will earth's society be; and weeping bereaved ones will have their tears all wiped away, when thus they realize the resurrection work complete. Rev. 21:4