WEEP NOT; RATHER REJOICE.
MEMORISE:
Rejoice evermore. 1 Thessalonians 5:16
READ: Luke 7:12-15
12 Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.
13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.
14 And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.
15 And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.
MESSAGE:
One of the shortest verse of the New Testament which is also our memory verse today says “Rejoice evermore.”
Today, we read about the command “Weep Not”. This command is easier read than obeyed. A widow lost her only son and Jesus Christ commanded her not to weep! The Lord is saying to you also “Don’t weep, but rather, rejoice” because He will intervene in that situation that is drawing tears out of your eyes. Weeping doesn’t solve any problem; it is merely an expression of sorrow.
Weeping could be detrimental to those who indulge themselves in the habit. Weeping blurs vison and reasoning- both physically and spiritually. Weeping particularly when God says don’t weep in such situations that appear unpleasant, is an indirect protest against God’s command, and anything that we do contrary to the command of the Lord is an act of rebellion. The Bible assures us that “Weeping may endure for a night; but joy cometh in the morning” (Psalm 30:5). We are most blessed if we believe this Scripture.
Weeping blurred Mary Magdalen’s vision on the resurrection morning to the extent that she mistook Jesus Christ for a gardener (John 20:11-15). Jesus tried to console her but she did not recognize Him.
“Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.” John 20:15
An antidote for weeping is reading God’s word concerning His promises for us in the time of trouble. Another one is high praises to God who specializes in reversing the irreversible. The Bible says when David was distressed at Ziklag because the wives and children of he and his men had been taken away captive by raiders, he appealed to God for His consoling word. He was not only consoled but also assured of full restoration (1 Samuel 30:1-8). Seek and speak the word of God that is applicable to your challenge in the time of trouble, then praise Him. You will surely laugh last.
PRAYER POINT:
Father, please wipe away all tears from my eyes and remove those situations that cause me to weep today, in the name of Jesus.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Proverbs 22.
HYMN 31: NOW THANK WE ALL OUR GOD.
1. Now thank we all our God, with heart and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things has done, in Whom this world rejoices;
Who from our mothers’ arms has blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.
2. Oh, may this bounteous God through all our life be near us,
With ever joyful hearts and blessed peace to cheer us;
And keep us in His grace, and guide us when perplexed;
And guard us through all ills in this world, till the next!
3. All praise and thanks to God the Father now be given,
The Son, and Him Who reigns with Them in highest Heaven—
The one eternal God, Whom earth and Heav’n adore;
For thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore.
