Redeeming My Time in Bereavement

Comfort after Marriage

3 min

The importance of “redeeming the time” applies not only to singleness and marriage but also to widowhood. Previously, we have looked at practical ways that young men and women can diligently “number their days” and apply their hearts unto wisdom in the important days before marriage.

We have also looked at the importance of husbands and wives treasuring each moment they can spend together and making their marriage count for eternity. But it is also important to consider how widows and widowers can use the years of their bereavement for God’s glory.

It is a sad tragedy that many widows and widowers spend the final days of their lives pining for eternity. How often have you heard a widow say, “I just can’t wait until I am united again with my husband”? While these feelings of loneliness and longing for eternity are certainly understandable, they should be balanced with a proper understanding that God has left the living spouse on earth for a purpose—a purpose that should count for eternity.

What are some ways that widows and widowers can redeem the time as singles again, rather than spending the remaining years of life longing for death and reunion with a lost loved one? The Bible reveals many practical ways that widows can be useful to the Lord and to the people of God.

Widows are free to give God their full attention and affection.

What the Apostle Paul wrote of unmarried virgins in I Corinthians 7:34 also applies to widows: “The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit.” Free from loyalty to a husband, a widow can give her first loyalty to God Himself. An example of this truth is seen in the poor widow who gave her two mites to God. She was commended by Jesus for her wholehearted devotion to God.

Widows are able to give a larger measure of time to prayer.

In I Timothy 5:5, Paul commended the widow who “continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.” Many widows have more free time than married women. A good measure of this time can and ought to be devoted to consistent, intercessory prayer for loved ones and for the Kingdom of God. An example of this truth is seen in the life of Anna, a widow who served in the Temple.

Widows are free to perform deeds of charity.

Many widows have skills they developed and employed in serving their families, such as sewing, cooking, cleaning, nursing, and caring for children. These same skills can be put to great practical use in the service of the Lord. Paul commended the care of widows when others knew of her good reputation: “if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work” (I Timothy 5:10). Widows, such as the one at Zarephath who assisted Elijah, provide a good pattern of this kind of service.

Widows are free to remarry as the Lord gives opportunity.

The Bible makes it very clear that one important way that a widow can redeem the time is to remarry. Paul clearly stated in I Timothy 5:14 of younger widows, “I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house.” This statement is not an option for all, but it is certainly a valid option for some when the Lord gives clear direction that marrying again is the best way to use the remainder of one’s life for His glory. Ruth certainly fit into this category, and the Lord richly blessed her subsequent marriage to Boaz. King David and the Lord Jesus Himself were the fruit of this marriage!

This article is from our Matters of Life & Death teaching series.

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