The Dove's Lament: When Sorrow Strips Away the World's Comfort

"I did mourn as a dove" (Isaiah 38:14). The possessions of the world often lighten life's sorrows and increase its enjoyments; the Word of Yahweh itself recognizes prosperity as a subject for gratitude. Yet riches alone are insufficient to make us happy. The limitation of their power appears most strikingly when death—"the king of terrors"—challenges an earthly potentate, and he discovers "there is no discharge in that war."

The dove's plaintive mourning describes various classes of sorrowful men. First, those mourning from bodily affliction, as King Hezekiah did in his pining sickness facing certain dissolution. Second, those crushed by worldly circumstances' untowardness. Third, those wounded by coldness of former friends, treachery of trusted ones, or persecution from those who should support them. Fourth, those grieving the departure of beloved ones. Fifth, those burdened by remembrance of iniquity.

Yet relief exists. For the bodily afflicted: the possibility of cure, conformity to our Lord's suffering, and the Gospel's promise that Christ "hath brought life and immortality to light." For the wreck of worldly circumstances: earthly losses need not define Yahweh's approval. If losses have brought you to reflection and right judgment of worldly goods; if the changes of mortal life have fixed your affection on things above; if they have broken your proud spirit and brought you to Christ's "unsearchable riches"—then mourn not as a dove bereft, but as one redeemed.