O Worship the LORD in the Beauty of Holiness

UNDERSTANDING BEREAVEMENT THROUGH A BIBLICAL LENS 

Introduction

The Bible offers profound insights into the experience of bereavement – the condition of having lost a loved one to death. Scripture presents bereavement not merely as an emotional state to overcome but as a significant human experience that God acknowledges, honours, and addresses with compassion. It provides examples, patterns, and promises that can guide the bereaved through their journey of grief while pointing toward ultimate hope and comfort.

Rooted in both Old and New Testament narratives, biblical bereavement is neither a state to be rushed nor a sorrow to be endured alone. Instead, it is a sacred journey marked by God’s presence, the validation of grief, and the assurance of eternal restoration.

Biblical Recognition of Grief and Mourning

Scripture openly acknowledges the reality and intensity of grief following loss. Rather than minimising sorrow or suggesting believers should suppress grief, the Bible portrays bereavement as a sacred response to the separation caused by death, which is the result of the Fall.

Biblical Examples of Bereavement

The Bible contains numerous accounts of people experiencing profound grief after losing loved ones. Abraham mourned deeply for his wife Sarah, as Genesis recounts: “Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her.” (Genesis 23:1-3). Similarly, when Jacob believed his son Joseph had been killed by a wild animal, he “rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days.… refused to be comforted” (Genesis 37:34-35). One of the most poignant expressions of parental grief appears in King David’s lament over his son Absalom: “O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!” (2 Samuel 18:33).

Perhaps most significantly, Jesus Himself experienced and expressed grief. When His friend Lazarus died, “Jesus wept” (John 11:35). This brief verse powerfully demonstrates that grief is not incompatible with faith. Despite His divine foreknowledge of the resurrection, Jesus wept openly, affirming the dignity of human sorrow. His tears, shed alongside Mary and Martha, sanctify grief as both holy and human.

God’s Perspective on Grief

Perhaps surprisingly, Scripture reveals that God Himself experiences grief, demonstrating that sorrow is not inherently sinful but can reflect the divine heart.

The Bible speaks of God experiencing grief in response to human sin and suffering. In Genesis 6:6-8, God, the Father is grieved by human wickedness. The disobedience of Israel and the church grieves the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 63:10; Ephesians 4:30). Most profoundly, Jesus is described as “a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3).

This divine grief reveals something profound about the nature of God. Rather than depicting an emotionally detached deity, Scripture presents grief as evidence of the “dynamic, living relationship that exists between God and humankind”. God’s grief demonstrates His deep interest in human lives and His genuine care for His creation. 

Biblical Comfort for the Bereaved

Scripture offers substantial comfort to those experiencing bereavement, providing both promises of God’s presence and practical patterns for supporting the grieving.

The Bible consistently emphasises God’s special nearness to those who grieve: “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite (crushed) spirit” (Psalm 34:18). Jesus Himself promised blessing and comfort to those who mourn: “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:4). These verses assure the bereaved that their grief does not separate them from God but may actually draw them closer to His compassionate presence.

Scripture also highlights the importance of community support during bereavement. When Job suffered devastating losses, his three friends came and “sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very great” (Job 2:11-13). Romans 12:15 instructs believers to “weep with them that weep” establishing grief as something to be shared within a caring community of believers.

Grieving with Hope

While acknowledging the reality of grief, the biblical text ultimately points believers toward a hope that transforms the experience of bereavement without diminishing its significance.

Present Comfort—Numerous psalms model taking grief directly to God. Psalm 55:22 instructs, “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee.” This pattern of lamenting to God—openly expressing pain while maintaining relationship with Him—provides a framework for healthy grieving. The prevalence of lament psalms in Scripture suggests that bringing our grief to God is not merely permitted but encouraged.

Future Hope—The Bible offers believers a unique perspective on grief through the lens of resurrection hope. Paul instructs Christians to “sorrow not, even as others which have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). This hope does not negate grief but recontextualises it, assuring believers that death is a temporary enemy (1 Corinthians 15:26), and grief is transformed by the assurance of resurrection and eternal life. The ultimate biblical promise regarding grief comes in Revelation 21:4: “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.”

Conclusion

The biblical understanding of bereavement acknowledges the profound pain of loss while providing resources for enduring grief with both grace and hope. Scripture validates the experience of sorrow, offers examples of faithful grieving, provides community support structures, and ultimately points to divine comfort both now and in eternity. Rather than suggesting quick resolutions to grief, rejecting the notion that faith requires emotional suppression, instead affirming sorrow as a testament to love’s depth.

The Bible presents bereavement as a significant journey through which God remains present, compassionate, and redemptive. For the believer, bereavement becomes not merely an experience of loss but also potentially an occasion for deeper relation with God and the community of faith - a sorrow that, while genuine and painful, does not have the final word.

– Mok Chee Cheong 

Shorter Catechism Question 46

Q. 46. What is required in the first commandment?

A. The first commandment requireth us to know and acknowledge God to be the only true God, and our God; and to worship and glorify him accordingly.

Appointments for the Week

Monday, May 5

        7.30 pm     ERBL Exam: Counselling in the Local Church

Tuesday, May 6

        8.00 pm     Prayer Meeting (Eld Lim Teck Chye)

Thursday, May 8

      10.00 am     Ladies’ Prayer Group

        7.30 pm     ERBL Exam: The Epistles of Peter

Friday, May 9

        7.30 pm     MM Meeting

Saturday, May 10

        9.00 am     Exploring Christianity (Rm 2-1)

      11.00 am     Faith NBC

        3.00 pm     LTF / YLM / MM

Sunday, May 11

  8.00 am Believing the Impossible Hebrews 11:11; Genesis 18:1-15 (Eld Ng Beng Kiong)

  8.00 am Choir Practice

  9.15 am Library (Sanctuary Balcony)

  9.20 am Coffee Corner

  9.40 am Sunday School / Catechism Class

10.30 am Coffee Corner

11.00 am Believing the Impossible Hebrews 11:11; Genesis 18:1-15 (Eld Ng Beng Kiong)

11.00 am Children’s Ministry

11.00 am Chinese Service (MPH)

11.00 am Filipina Service (Rm 1-6)

12.15 pm Library (Sanctuary Balcony)

  2.30 pm Thai Service (LMH)

  4.00 pm Indonesian Service (Rm 1-6)

Announcements

Church Camp 2025

Collection of Church Camp fees will take place on 4 and 11 May at the Church Office during the following timings: Sunday School (9.30am-10.45am) and immediately after second service. Campers will be receiving an email on the payment details closer towards the collection dates. Please do contact Josiah Seah @ This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 91552814 if you have any queries.

Door to Door Evangelism 4 May 2025 (Today)

Meet in Beulah Room 2-11, 12.30pm Contact: Desmond  or Amos 

Traffic Warden Service

We welcome all church members to join in this work. Our TW’s role is to provide godly service to facilitate worship. We need help in following time slots for Sunday: 7.30-8am or 10.30-11am with a frequency of once or twice a month. Please contact Dn Chan Yong or Bro Kelvin .

Catechism Class for Anniversary Baptism on 19 October 2025

commences on 13 July 2025. Please pre-register by emailing to Church Office. Those seeking baptism, reaffirmation of faith and transfer of membership must attend the catechism class. Closing date: 6 July 2025.

Holy Communion Elements Preparation

Lifers are invited to serve in the Holy Communion elements preparation, clean-up and washing. Those interested may contact Jenny or Wendy.

Mailbox Club Bible Correspondence Course (MBCC)

Another Church Outreach Ministry invites Lifers to register their young children, teens, or grandchildren with our MBCC. Those whose loved ones, friends or colleagues who are either young in their faith or being non-believers, are interested to know and explore more of Christianity, are also invited to register with us by filling in the registration forms which are now available at the Church front counter and post them to:

Life B-P Church

No.10, Gilstead Road

Singapore 309064

Attention: Mrs Ong Chuay Ying

Condolence

Our condolences to bro Leslie T and family on the homegoing of his mother, Mdm Tan LK (90 years old), on 2 May 2025.

In-Person Church Prayer Meeting

4 May 2025, 5pm @ Beulah Room 2-1 

The Chinese Choir welcomes members of both congregations (Eng & Chi) to learn singing techniques with us. Beulah House, Sunday 11, 18, 25 May (8-930am)

Exploring Christianity

What is the meaning of life? Why am I here? If there is a good and powerful God, why do we have global pandemics and unrest in this world?  The answers to these questions can be found in the Bible, which is God's word to man. 

Exploring Christianity is a course that looks at how the Bible addresses these pertinent questions about life. It is a 5-part series and is suitable for (1) Non-Christians seeking God and (2) Christians who would like to learn how to evangelise. 

The first session will be held on a Saturday, 10 May 2025, from 9-1pm at Beulah Centre. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Kindly note that the other 3 sessions will be held on Sunday mornings. All Lifers are encouraged to bring their non-Christian friends and family members to this introductory course on the Christian faith. 

Register at https://tinyurl.com/ECMay2025

Life Bible-Presbyterian Church Seminar: Revive Us, O Lord!

Speaker: Rev Ian Goligher

Date: Saturday 14 June 2025

Time: 3-6pm (followed by dinner)

Venue: Beulah MPH

Register by 1 June 2025 at https://tinyurl.com/LifeBPCSem14Jun2025

Gospel Sunday “The Promise of True Rest” by Rev Ian Goligher

Date: 22 June 2025

Time: 8am & 11am

Venue: Life B-P Church Sanctuary

Emmanuel Reformed Bible Lectures https://www.lifebpc.com/erbl 

The Intertestamental Period

By Ms Lilian Lee, M.B.S. (Adjunct faculty member of ERBC)

Monday, 7:30pm - 9:30 pm (Beginning on 14 July)

Some understanding of both the Old Testament and the Intertestamental Period is necessary for any Christian’s study and understanding of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. This course will cover the history of the Persian Period and the Hellenistic Period between the last writings of the Old Testament and the birth of Jesus Christ, commonly referred to as the ‘400 silent years’. This study will also show the biblical transition between the Old and the New Testament. (2 credits)

**Note: Those who take this course as Credit Students are required to obtain a copy of the book: Charles F. Pfeiffer, Between the Testaments (Michigan, Baker Book House, 1959)

The Book of Judges and Reading Hebrew Meta-Narratives

By Pastor Tan Soon Yong M.Div., Th.M., D.Div. (Pastor of ‘The Fisherman of Christ’ Fellowship)

Thursday, 7:30pm - 9:30 pm (Beginning on 17 July)

Few think of Judges as their favourite book. It starts disconcerting and disturbing, but ends with vile stories that modern sensitivities can barely stomach. Many hope that by studying the New Testament long enough, Judges will simply go away! But this is one book we need to heed, for the Canaanisation of Israel it describes mirrors the alarming worldliness we see in churches today.

To come to grips with the message of Judges, one must learn the basics of reading Hebrew meta-narratives. There is a literary structure the writer employs, there are times he deviates from it, and other times he seems to abandon it altogether – all under the Spirit’s inspiration. All this is not random, but instead contributes directly to the central purpose the book.

Has it ever bewildered you that Gedeon, Barak and Jephthae are included in the Hall of Faith (Heb 11:32) alongside Abraham, Moses and David? It would not, if you understand the message of the book of Judges. Come, let us learn its sobering truths together. (2 credits)

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