God's Amazing Grace in Genesis: The Darkness of Grief

Genesis 1:2-3 – The earth was without form and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.”

Applying a verse in other than that of the natural realm has an interesting and rewarding dimension to Bible study. Continuing to do so with this verse, its depth is amazing. The Spirit’s hovering over the darkness is a concept that quiets anxious souls. Personal darkness situations include several areas, one of which is the darkness of grief.

The darkness of grief is a consequence of loss of some sort. It may be the actual death of a loved one, or physical or emotional separation from those we cherish. It may be dealing with the loss of significant control over some area of our life. It may be the result of a truth encounter that shatters a lie-based reality which has been our foundation for life. When a lie crumbles, we are often left wondering who we are and where do we fit now that we don’t fit where we used to fit! 

Again, knowing that the Elohim God embraced the creation process in the midst of Their personal grief as the great controversy raged, brings my heart some amazing comfort. When I put creation into this perspective, my appreciation for God’s amazing grace in the creation process overwhelms me. I know how the devastation of grief can paralyze me. I don’t have one creative thought or feeling. How did God do this? 

The darkness of grief must be acknowledged and honored. The Spirit does not flee from it, nor should we. Scientists have shown that tears of grief and anger contain toxins which need to be released so our bodies can be clean. Grief can be uncomfortable because we have been told that being in darkness is a lack of faith or that perhaps we must have some sin in our lives because God seems to be absent. These are the same darts of doubt that Satan threw at the Savior when He was dying on His cross of grief. 

The darkness of grief is blinding; we cannot see through it. Accept that! We must, however, be gentle with ourselves during these darkness times, and, if we can “intellectually” accept that our grief is only one part of the healing process, then perhaps that will nurture a hope in our hearts that “joy comes in the morning.”  

The darkness of grief is understood by the Godhead. And God grieves with us just as He grieved when Lazarus died. Imagine it! The Son of God who would call Lazarus from his tomb in a matter of minutes so identified with the grief of His friends that He wept openly (John 11:353). The Spirit’s hovering over the darkness…may this truth be salve for the sore spots of our souls.

 Prayer in the Garden of Grace:

Precious Heavenly Father, It is staggering to my heart to see what you did in the midst of Your own personal grief. Knowing that a plan of salvation needed a platform from which it could be launched, You created the world that would become a stage to the universe.

In my grief, I am paralyzed. I cannot see past that moment in time, let alone see the big picture. Thank You that You know our grief. You know its timetable. You know its course through our bodies and minds. Thank You for being at the foot of our crosses of grief. Thank You for the Spirit’s hovering, and thank You for the Son’s personal acquaintance with our suffering.

In the darkness of grief, we do not even know how to pray, what to ask for, or how to be grateful. You know this. Grief’s consuming confusion paralyzes. You know this, too. When Your disciples were confused and depressed during Your Son’s Gethsemane, He told them to “Sleep on now, and take rest…” (Matt. 26:45).

You were so gentle to them in their grief. Surround us with those gentle heavenly arms and be to us our rest. In the name of the Son, we thank You for the Spirit’s hovering over the darkness.. Amen