Sad Occurrences in the Bible Nehemiah 2:2 I. Introduction. A. There are moments of sadness(sometimes overwhelming) in the lives of all humans. B. Some of these experiences are sadder than others. C. One hopes the moments of joy and happiness will overshadow the sorrows. D. The Bible speaks of sadness in the lives of people of the past(at least 10 occurrences of the word); it also points out the joys. E. Sadness comes from the heart: Nehemiah 2:2. 1. Nehemiah was touched at the condition of Jerusalem and Judah. 2. Living in a foreign country, he could only dream of improving his homeland(would be granted leave). F. There is even a pretended sadness: Matthew 6:16. G. Some are sad for the wrong reasons: Mark 10:22. H. Some are sad due to a lack of understanding of what is happening: Luke 24:17. II. Body. Occasions of sadness in the divine record: A. The first sin. 1. Living in a Paradise of God, with all of its blessing: how could one reject what God offered? 2. The tempter(Satan) enticed Eve and Eve influenced Adam; we bear the consequences. 3. The result: Genesis 3:22-24. 4. Once a child, while working in the field, put it, "Why did Eve eat that fruit?" B. The first murder. 1. Jealousy and anger present early in the life of mankind. 2. Uncontrolled anger has brought much sadness into the world. 3. In a fit of rage Cain slew Abel: Genesis 4:5b, 8b. 4. The consequence: A fugitive and a wanderer. 5. Always remember: Ephesians 4:26-27. C. The enslavement of the Hebrews. 1. Joseph brought his family into Egypt to escape a famine. 2. A far greater evil: a Pharaoh that knew not Joseph. 3. Seeking relief: Exodus 5:4. 4. Abraham's descendants, the chosen people of God--how sad to be so used by ungodly people. 5. Just remember: God did bring them out of Egypt. D. The fall of Jerusalem. 1. Great sadness for all of the Hebrew: yet--brought on themselves. 2. Sin extracts a terrible price. 3. Yet, these were God's people--through whom the Messiah could come to this earth. 4. Nehemiah's realization: Nehemiah 1:4. 5. This man of God would return to his beloved city. E. When Elijah felt he was all alone: I Kings 19:10, 14. 1. Have you ever been lonely--so alone--that you felt no one cared? 2. Elijah had fled--he was in a cave--despondent about what happened. 3. The Lord demonstrated his power and might to the prophet (he was not alone--one man + God=majority). 4. Jehovah assured him others were willing to do right: I Kings 19:18. 5. Elijah would experience joy when the Lord translated him. F. When Jesus died on the cross(viewed often as saddest of all). 1. What agony, what suffering--for what he did not do. 2. Can you imagine the feelings of his mother? 3. For us: I Peter 2:21-24. 4. Sadness turned to joy in the resurrection. G. Yet, there are sadder occurrences in the lives of individuals that exceed those mentioned. 1. When one rejects the gospel: Acts 24:25. a. To our knowledge, Felix never called Paul(or upon the Lord). b. One who has heard the truth has no defense in judgment if they do not accept the word of God. c. Many hear the truth multiple times--but are not moved. d. Only obedience brings spiritual joy. 2. When one leaves the paths of righteousness: II Timothy 4:10. a. Once saved; now lost. b. Once joy; now sorrow. c. Once hope; now failure. d. Once faithful; now unfaithful. c. Heed: II Peter 2:20-22. III. Conclusion. A. How sad for some in the day of judgment: Matthew 25:41, 46. B. Jesus died to make it possible for you to remove the greatest sadness from your life so that you may live in eternal joy and happiness.-jy