Hope In Mourning
Opening Prayer
Father, You know my heart. You know how I’m feeling today. I bring myself to You now, just as I am.
Read ZECHARIAH 12:10-14
[10] “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son. [11] On that day the weeping in Jerusalem will be great, like the weeping of Hadad Rimmon in the plain of Megiddo. [12] The land will mourn, each clan by itself, with their wives by themselves: the clan of the house of David and their wives, the clan of the house of Nathan and their wives, [13] the clan of the house of Levi and their wives, the clan of Shimei and their wives, [14] and all the rest of the clans and their wives. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
Who does the "me" here bring to your mind?It’s difficult to imagine these verses featured on a “Verse a Day” Calendar. We do not like to be reminded that death, grieving and mourning are a part of life. No one is sure about the original context for these verses. The earlier part of the chapter speaks of victory (12:7-9), but now there is mourning, apparently for someone who has been murdered (10).
The parallels with David’s situation are evident, even without the mention of Shimei, who plays a part in the story we have been reading (13; see 2 Sam. 19:16-23). The passage is also applied to Jesus (John 19:37; Rev. 1:7). This reminds us that although we have victory in Christ, and have joy because of him, there is still evil in the world, and sin in our own life that should rightly cause us to mourn. This is not a hopeless mourning, for we know that the victory is real and certain, but that should not harden our hearts to the need for change now. And a spirit of grace and supplication (10) leads us to bring the needs of the world and our own shortcomings before Godﾗand perhaps to act on that prayer, as well!
Apply
Bring to God something which is wrong in the world or around you. Confess any sin of which you are aware.
Closing prayer
Almighty Lord, You are Lord over all. Keep me mindful of bringing my prayers for the world to You often.
Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.
© 2024 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.
Discovery is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.