In the beginning, before man fell into sin, he had no knowledge of sorrow or sadness. Never had he any reason for tears of sorrow in his eyes. But when sin entered into the world, it all changed. God said, “And unto Adam He said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life.” Genesis 3:17. Now man had the first taste of sorrow and mourning, and this was to follow all the days of his life as a curse—or was it a curse, or was it a blessing in disguise?

In the world, men and women have many sorrows, worries, cares, and anxieties. “Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.” Luke 21:26

“Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about.” Psalm 32:10. Men try to lighten their sorrowful hearts in drinking, feasting, and entertainment. But are they able to overcome their sorrows?

“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.” Proverbs 14:12–13

How is the life of the true child of God? Do they also have sorrows in their hearts? Or is it all joy and gladness? “These things have I spoken unto, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” John 15:11

Paul said, “Rejoice evermore.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16

Nehemiah writes, “Neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10

Yet there is often sorrow in the hearts of God’s people. But it is different than the sorrow of the world.

“For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season. Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.” 2 Corinthians 7:8–10

Godly sorrow is a blessing to us, while worldly sorrow worketh death.

Jesus said, “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4

“For the Lord will not cast off for ever: But though He cause grief, yet will He have compassion according to the multitude of His mercies. For He doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.” Lamentations 3:31–33

Though He causes grief, He also has compassion towards His people.

When David had sinned, in contrition of heart and sadness he repented. “And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head and they went up, weeping as they went up.” 2 Samuel 15:30

David, the king of Israel, wept in sorrow for his sin. This kind of sorrow for repentance for sin will be comforted.

“Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: For He maketh sore, and bindeth up: He woundeth and His hands make whole.” Job 5:17–18

To die is a painful process, but it must take place. “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” Romans 6:6

“I die daily.” 1 Corinthians 15:31

To die to self, to die to sin, and to die to the world, causes suffering and sorrow to a Christian.

Every time we commit a sin it causes sadness to us, but it is godly sorrow which worketh repentance to salvation in us. If someone commits sin without feeling sadness about it, it means that his conscience is hardened, and is near the point where the Holy Spirit will leave him completely.

Wise Solomon gave us advice. “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. Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.” Ecclesiastes 7:2–5

Sister White had a vision of God’s people in the last days. “I saw some, with strong faith and agonizing cries, pleading with God. Their countenances were pale and marked with deep anxiety, expressive of their internal struggle. Firmness and great earnestness was expressed in their countenances; large drops of perspiration fell from their foreheads. Now and then their faces would light up with the marks of God’s approbation, and again the same solemn, earnest, anxious look would settle upon them.” –Early Writings, p. 269

“I was shown those whom I had before seen weeping and praying in agony of spirit. . . . Their countenances expressed the severe conflict which they had endured, the agonizing struggle they had passed through. Yet their features, marked with severe internal anguish, now shone with the light and glory of heaven. They had obtained the victory, and it called forth from them the deepest gratitude, and holy, sacred joy.” –Ibid., p. 271

Yet there is another kind of sorrow which God’s people have, even after they have overcome their own sins—it is sorrow for others who have not overcome their sins yet.

Paul had sorrow for the members of the churches; he was in tears for them. “For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.” 2 Corinthians 2:4

So great was the sorrow of Paul for his brethren and for his kinsmen that he was willing to give his salvation for them, and he be accursed from Christ. “For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh.” Romans 9:3

Jeremiah had great sorrow for his people. “Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people.” Jeremiah 9:1. He called them “my people”, even though they hated him, and finally put him to a martyr’s death. The book of Lamentations shows the great sorrow that he had for his people.

Sister White had great sorrow for the church that she had supported and counselled with her testimonies and writings for so many years. “Who knows whether God will not give you up to the deceptions you love? Who knows but that the preachers who are faithful, firm, and true may be the last who shall offer the gospel of peace to our unthankful churches? It may be that the destroyers are already training under the hand of Satan and only wait the departure of a few more standard-bearers to take their places, and with the voice of the false prophet cry, ‘peace, peace,’ when the Lord hath not spoken peace. I seldom weep, but now I find my eyes blinded with tears; they are falling upon my paper as I write. It may be that erelong all prophesyings among us will be at an end, and the voice which has stirred the people may no longer disturb their carnal slumbers.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 77

The greatest sorrow was upon our Saviour, Jesus Christ. “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from Him; He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.” Isaiah 53:3

Jesus was very sensitive; He felt pain, sorrow, and disappointment when He saw how few accepted His offer of mercy. Those whom He came to save mocked and ridiculed Him; and this caused great pain to His sensitive soul. “And when He was come near, He beheld the city, and wept over it.” Luke 19:41

“And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith He unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with Me. And He went a little further, and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me: nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt.” Matthew 26:37–39

How He was longing for human comfort and sympathy that moment, but even His closest disciples could not watch and pray with Him.

Three times He went to pray to His Father, the same prayer. And in the end He said, “Thy will be done.” The moment had come, when the destiny of the world was to be decided. His sweat was like great drops of blood falling from His forehead, so great was His soul anguish (Luke 22:44).

Then came the climax of His sorrow. “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” Matthew 27:46. Jesus died from a broken heart; the burden of sin broke His heart.

Truly Jesus was a man of sorrows. Whatever sorrows may come upon us, they are nothing compared to what Jesus suffered for us.

Yet all the sorrows that Jesus suffered and what we may suffer will be turned to joy and to endless rejoicing. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.” John 16:20, 22

“Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.” Isaiah 51:11

When suffering and sorrow come upon us, then remember, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

One day we will understand the purpose of the sorrows that we have suffered and then we will thank God for them, because they helped to develop our characters for heaven and eternal life. Amen.

Timo Martin