Letters: Mrs. Milne on the Death of Her Father (1)
In the face of loss and sorrow, we can find comfort in the knowledge of our Heavenly Father's presence and the promise of future joy.
Andrew Bonar writes to Mrs. Milne, offering comfort in her time of grief over her father's death. He emphasizes the unique bond between a father and child, encouraging her to draw closer to God, whom she can call 'Abba, Father.' Bonar reassures her that Jesus, her Elder Brother, and the Holy Spirit are with her, providing comfort and hope. He reflects on the idea that earthly joys are just a foretaste of the eternal joys to come, and that sorrows will soon end as they are replaced by the glory of God. Bonar concludes with a heartfelt request for prayer, reinforcing the connection of faith and community in times of loss.
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ON THE DEATH OF HER FATHER. COLLACE, F. C. Manse, Dec. 13th, 1855. MY DEAR MRS. MILNE, --I write because it might be some variety to you in your sojourn at Hastings, something like a visit. We felt for you in your bereavement, for a father is altogether peculiar, so peculiar that you know the Lord represents our nearest access to Himself by saying it is our being able to call Him 'Abba, Father;' ay, to 'cry' thus to Him, to speak it loudly, firmly, not faintly, not fearfully--to 'cry' in the ear of angels, 'Jehovah is my Father,' to 'cry' in the ear of the Lord Himself, 'Thou art Abba!'
Dear friend, this is left to you, this supplying of an earthly father's place by more frequent 'crying' to the Father above. And as you do so, lo! there is one at His right hand who smiles on you and calls you 'Sister!' It is your Elder Brother, the Lord Jesus; for He says that 'whoever does the will of His Father is to Him "sister."' And then the silent but most mighty Comforter, the Spirit of grace, He breathes on you while the Father smiles, and while Jesus owns you. What life He breathes, what thoughts, what hopes too!
One of the hopes He breathes is 'Come, Lord Jesus,' the hope of the day of meeting in the presence of the Lord, all the friends that He has removed from time to time. I was much struck to-day by a simple thought, viz. 'our joys are only beginning.' Yes, the joys we have tasted are mere foretastes. Have you noticed in Eph. 2 'that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us.' All we get here is but an earnest and no more. And then, as truly as our joys are only beginning, so our sorrows are ending.
They will soon be over: our last tear shed, our last sigh heaved, the last wrinkle on our brow smoothed away by the hand that places on our head the Crown of Glory! 'Come, Lord Jesus!' . . . . Will you sometimes pray for us?--Yours truly in the Lord, ANDREW A. BONAR.
Sermon Outline
- The Comfort of the Heavenly Father
- The Heavenly Father's Presence in Sorrow
- The Hope of Future Joy
- Our joys are only beginning
- We will experience the exceeding riches of His grace in the ages to come
Key Quotes
“our joys are only beginning” — Andrew Bonar
“the joys we have tasted are mere foretastes” — Andrew Bonar
“our sorrows are ending” — Andrew Bonar
Application Points
- We can find comfort in the knowledge that our Heavenly Father is always with us and that our loved ones are with Him in heaven.
- We should look forward to the future with hope and anticipation, knowing that our joys are only beginning.
- We can trust in the promise that our sorrows will soon be over and that we will experience the exceeding riches of God's grace.