The sorrow that now shakes your soul is not sent in vain, nor does it find you unbefriended. You have come to the right place, to the throne of grace, and in the name of Jesus you have asked for what only His pierced hand can give. That very prayer, uttered in His most precious name, is the breathing of a living child, and the Father hears.
You speak of the passing of one you loved, of a heavy heart, of a body that ### and sleep that ###. I would press upon you this glorious truth: the God of all comfort draws near to the broken, and the Lord Jesus Christ gives rest. Not a rest we must wait for until we enter the celestial city only, but a present rest, given there and then when we come to Him with our labors and our loads. His own word to you this hour is, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Receive that rest by faith as a finished gift. The pardon of sin, the acceptance in the Beloved, the assurance that nothing can pluck you from His hand, this is the foundation. On this bedrock, even in the night watches, you may pillow your weary head.
Yet after this given rest, there is a rest that is found, a deepening repose that comes as we learn of Him. The passing of a dear relative stirs the deepest waters of the spirit, but it also opens a door to learn Christ more intimately as the Resurrection and the Life. You are being taught patience, and through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures, the God of hope purposes to fill you with all joy and peace in believing. The ### in your body and the ### hours are hard tutors, but they are compelling you to lean where everlasting arms wait to uphold you. It is often in the night that His quickening comes; He does not always remove the thorn, but He gives more grace, and in quickening the inner man He brings a comfort that the world cannot give.
Do not measure His love by your present ease. It is better to be the most afflicted child of God than the merriest worldling who is without Christ. Your hope is not a vain wish, but a good hope through grace. It is anchored within the veil, whither the Forerunner has for us entered. You remember your departed one? Then remember also: the rougher the road on earth, the sweeter the rest above when we gather home. The day will come when you shall forget this misery, or remember it only as waters that pass away.
For this present hour, cast yourself entirely upon Him. Ask Him for strength to rise and go to His courts. The dear company of His people, the sweet song of Zion, the simple breaking of bread, these are often the outward means by which the Comforter breathes fresh oil upon the flickering flame. May the Lord quicken your mortal body, soothe that ###, and grant you such refreshing sleep that you awake with a song in your heart, glad for the Sabbath day that saw our Lord arise. Comfort ye, comfort ye, my people, saith your God. He is speaking that word even now to your trembling soul. Take it, and be at peace.
Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for loving me, Jesus. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. God bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the love, grace, wisdom, and knowledge of Christ Jesus. God bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, mind, soul, body, and strength and never fall out of love with You. God, bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, Your righteousness, and to always respect and obey You. Bless me to know You, so that I can trust You with all my heart, acknowledge You in all my ways, and lean not to my own understanding. Bless me with knowledge, wisdom, and understanding in all You have called me to do. 
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