It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart. Ecclesiastes 7:2 KJV
There is so much joy in celebrating the birth of someone every year.
Death should also be a time of celebration of a life lived.
This reality is a challenging thing.
We all mourn in different ways.
Solomon was facing this challenge in his search to find out what is good under the sun.
In this first part of the chapter, he shows that death can be seen as an opportunity.
That is why he stated, “It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting” (Ecclesiastes 7:2 KJV).
Our opportunity to see what death really means.
It is said the mourning is the spiritual journey of the heart and soul.
The experience of grief and loss are to be ones that cause us to think about how a people lived, and how they died.
A way of really observing what gives life meaning.
What the true purpose of life really means.
Solomon was trying to show us that a funeral is good.
It allows us to say our final farewell.
But it also allows us to see the things that have great meaning in life.
How we are missing the many benefits of life when we fail to strive to live a life of hope.
A hope that is gained as we walk with God and live according to the Word.
The writers of the New Testament have told us about living soberly and to be sober-minded (Romans 12:3 KJV, 1 Thessalonians 5:5-8 KJV, 1 Peter 1:13 KJV).
Each life we encounter is a testimony.
Demonstrations that show what living to stay in His graces will do.
It is a wise person that reflects thoughtfully about death.
The more we look at the lives of others, the more knowledge we gain.
Letting those that were spirit filled have a greater effect.
The Lord wants everyone to gain this knowledge.
It is the knowledge that helps us all to prepare for eternity.
A WORD OF PRAYER
Father, we know that we will always rejoice at the birth of a baby. That we will rejoice with them for the upcoming years of life. But to also remember that with any birth there will also be a time of death. It is how we live our lives that make it possible for others to take the time to rejoice and not mourn. To still be a testimony of living for You. Hoping that someone will gain the same wisdom and knowledge. It is a blessing to know that mourning is good for the soul.
In Jesus’ Name We Pray, Amen