“After this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah east of Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan” (Genesis 23:19 ESV).
The first record in the Bible of a man weeping is Abraham weeping at his wife’s death. Yet, the man of faith, did not falter in grief, nor become disheartened in despair. By faith, he bought a piece of land with a cave to bury his wife, believing that he and his descendants would one day possess the whole land. The purchase was an expression of his faith that the entire land of Canaan was promised to him and would one day belong to his children. However, as a sojourner in the land, he surely longed for that heavenly city “whose designer and builder is God” (Heb. 11:10). The way he faced the death of his beloved Sarah revealed his faith in God’s promises.
It is our faith in God’s promises that strengthen us to face death. For we believe the words that Jesus spoke to Martha at the death of her brother Lazarus. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26).
When we are faced with death, we are faced with the same question, “Do you believe this?” For those who are able to answer, “Yes Lord, I believe,” their grief is overcome with hope.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we grieve but not as those without hope. For we believe in the promise of eternal life through faith in Your Son, Jesus. Now strengthen us to live fearlessly for Him by Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.