Devotions in war time – 12 October 2023

“It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, because that is the end of every man, and the living takes it to heart” (Eccl 7:2). Israel has never experienced such national mourning since her rebirth in 1948. Our hearts are broken at the tragic loss of so many innocent people. Every single one of us would prefer to dance at the weddings and to sing at the birthday parties of our friends and families, rather than attend funerals and hear the seemingly endless names of our nation’s fallen called over the radio. But the author of Ecclesiastes tells us quite frankly that far more wisdom may be found among those who are mourning than among those who are celebrating and having fun. It’s not because celebrating and having fun are bad. In fact, God wants us to rejoice and enjoy the lives he has given us. But it’s only in our places of deepest loss we discover what, or who is most important in this life. The petty arguments that divided us and the petty pleasures that kept us amused last week all seem so insignificant right now. In the house of the mourning, we begin to think about the ever-present reality and finality of death, our relationship with God, and our relationships with one another. And if we are wise, we begin to make things right. Lady wisdom is calling out to us to get our priorities in order, and top on our list is our personal relationship with God. Is it well with my soul? No matter how far we have wandered, God is always and only just one prayer away. “Seek the LORD while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the LORD, and He will have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon” (Isa 55:6-7). “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?'” (John 11:25-26).