As I write this, some friends of ours from our previous church are attending the funeral of their mum. Just a few weeks ago was the funeral of their dad. Only limited numbers were allowed to attend the funeral and there was no celebration of the lives lost, all postponed to a later date. Mum and dad did not die of Covid-19, but died in the midst of restrictions and lockdown. We felt very moved by the death of people we have known, heavy of heart for the families involved and felt helpless, although we did write cards and pray.

As I write 265,000 people have died around the world of Covid-19, a number that can only increase. So many have shed tears for lost family and friends. So many that have died alone, so many working so hard to make the passing as peaceful as possible.

As I write it’s the day before the 75th anniversary of VE Day, a poignant day for me as it marked celebrations for my uncle fighting in France, yet not so for my dad who was still fighting in Burma.  I find the numbers of deaths in WW2 overwhelming, some 75 million deaths.

Why oh why can’t we get things in perspective a little.

David in 2 Samuel 1:17-29 laments the death of Saul. A lament is a chanted poem sung in mourning for those who have died. In other places in the Bible you can find them prophetically sung at the prospect of someone’s death. This one is called the Lament of the Bow to celebrate the military prowess of Saul, and was written in the book of Jashar, which was a book where laments, poems and songs were added to over the years.

“Your glory, O Israel, is slain on your high places! How the mighty have fallen! 2 Samuel 1:19

David was wronged so many times by Saul, but never once did David wrong Saul. David maybe should have lamented “how the aggressive have fallen” but he does not, choosing to honour the life of the now dead Saul.

A mum and dad, 265,000 Covid-19 victims, 75 million WW2 soldiers and civilians,  all fearfully and wonderfully made by God, made in the image of God. They are not numbers or statistics, how the mighty have fallen! We do well at this time to forget not all his benefits and rejoice in the air we breathe and the salvation given. The hope of eternal life is my anchor.

Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Ashkelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised exult.  2 Samuel 1:20

David will not drag Saul’s failures though the mud or the social media of the day. David protects Saul and Jonathan even after their death.

Sarah married Abraham at 15, she was married for 112 years before she died. She followed God and let God down and yet Sarah appears in the record of people of faith in Hebrews 11. We may have our opinions to what we would have done better if we were in the shoes of Sarah. As with Saul, Jonathan and Sarah, it’s what can I learn? How has God used their life to teach me about me and about Him.

“Saul and Jonathan, beloved and lovely! In life and in death they were not divided; they were swifter than eagles; they were stronger than lions.  2 Samuel 1:23

How honouring! There is this strange thing that exists is there not, that we say things at funerals or after someone has died that we never said to them when they were alive. I have this weird dream of no-one turning up to my funeral.

David’s compliments were honest and wonderfully encouraging. Maybe we should do this to the living rather than letting them have a blank face of nothingness.

“You daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you luxuriously in scarlet, who put ornaments of gold on your apparel.  2 Samuel 1:24

We should weep, and not crocodile tears, or tears of the moment but rather appreciate the lives that are touching our lives while we still have them with us.

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. Matthew 10:29

God notices the death of the sparrow, please would you take time to notice.

“How the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle! “Jonathan lies slain on your high places. I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; very pleasant have you been to me; your love to me was extraordinary, surpassing the love of women.  2 Samuel 1:25-26

David tells us of his personal loss in the death of Jonathan his friend. The language used here is poetic and truthful. This is a friendship that has gone through youth, war, adventures and trials.  Jonathan’s death has hurt him deeply. A mum, a dad, 265,000, 75 million, were people’s best friends, and they are hurting.

Lord right now, there are people whose sadness is overwhelming, whose sleep has been lost and whose pain is indescribable. Lord would you hear their weeping as you heard Rachel’s. You have spared us to live another day please help us not to waste it. Oh Lord our eyes are on you, you are all we have and we look to you for comfort and hope. We have no other. Please in our day would you come alongside each and every one suffering loss and be their helper in their time of trouble. Lord I am guessing many know you and many don’t, maybe many don’t care, but Lord I care that they are struggling and that you are the perfect helper, the only one able to be more that they need right now.

Lord would you visit our nation I pray…. Amen