Where Do you Go for Comfort?

What a week. It started off, celebrating our country's birthday as well as a great time enjoying fellowship with our extended church family at a well-organized and fun event.

Little did everyone know that the next day, a large part of our church family would be affected by a very serious accident.

On Wednesday afternoon, a mom and her 5 children were travelling in their van when the accident occurred. It has left the mother in an induced coma, in critical condition. Tragically, this accident has also taken the life of her oldest son who was 15 years old. Thankfully, the other 4 children came out alive, with the youngest one needing minor surgery.

Times like these, the verse from 1 Corinthians 12: 26 (ESV) rings so true:
"If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honoured, all rejoice together."

Thankfully, those aren't the only words that ring so true in God's Word. So do the following words:

"But now, this is what the LORD says - he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
For I am the LORD, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour." Is. 43: 1-3.

We pray hard for this family, as they are now travelling a very difficult road. We praise God for His Word, that we may find comfort there. We are ever so thankful for the hope this family has with the fact that this young man has been taken up into glory. He suffers no more and will never suffer again.

And yet, while we may receive comfort from His Word, there is still a lot of grief and sorrow that the family is dealing with. Early next week they will be at the graveside to bury their beloved son, grandson, brother, nephew, cousin and friend.  May God surround this family, and all those who are suffering with them, in His loving arms. We know that God will walk with them, through this valley, because that is what He promises. May they feel His presence near each one of them.