Psalm 30: 10-12
Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me!
O Lord, be my helper!”
You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
you have loosed my sackcloth
and clothed me with gladness,
that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!
What would you like to have on your headstone? That may seem like a dark topic, but it doesn’t have to be. Many years ago, when walking through a cemetery where many of my family members were buried, I noticed that they had put Bible passages on their headstones. It was uplifting to know that I was receiving little sermons and gifts from my loved ones. And, it was a joy to remember that I will see them again at the resurrection.
Often when it comes to a headstone, loved ones make the choice for us. If you go into a secular cemetery you will see headstones bearing images of what that person liked to do. But, if you think about it, you might like to leave something for others who never even knew you. This is where a Bible passage is wonderful.
A dear family friend of ours used part of this passage for His headstone. The translation he used stated “You turned my wailing into dancing…”. The text here uses the word mourning. But you get the idea. God brings us a great joy that overturns all the sorrows of life. It is a wondrous surprise of perfect joy!
This particular friend, in his final years couldn’t stand up straight and could hardly walk. He was faithfully in church every week until he literally couldn’t move. He loved to hear about Jesus, His death and resurrection, and that His Lord did this all for Him. He knew that He would live with His Savior forever.
How do I picture Him in paradise as He awaits the resurrection of all? No longer bent with pain, with worn back and joints. No longer wearied by pain and suffering. No longer burdened by anything in this sinful world. I picture Him in the words of this Psalm. His sorrows are turned into more than just joy… He is dancing… wonderfully dancing… restored as shall all who trust in the Lord Jesus be. God grant this to us all.
Let Us Pray,
Lord I thank you for the faithful witness of those who have gone before us in the faith. I thank you for their witness while in this life, and for their witness in death. I thank you for the Bible verses carved in stone and preaching in cemeteries. May your Word bear healing witness to all who suffer sorrow or pain. Grant them faith in you that they too may dance! In Jesus name. AMEN
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.