Readings from the New Testament

Jesus reminded his followers that God comforts us when we mourn.

“Happy are those who mourn;
God will comfort them!”
Matthew 5.4

God desires us to have great joy. Jesus said:

“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you
and that your joy may be complete.”
John 15.11

The apostle Paul believed that God is with us in the midst of our suffering and works to give us hope.

We know that in all things God works for good
with those who love him,
those whom he has called according to his purpose.
Romans 8.28

Our faith in God is what encourages us to believe and to have hope.

To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for,
to be certain of the things we cannot see.
It was by their faith that people of ancient times won God’s approval.
It is by faith that we understand that the universe was created by God’s word,
so that what can be seen was made out of what cannot be seen.
Hebrews 11.1-3

God promises us a new home where there will be no more grief, nor crying.

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The first heaven and the first earth disappeared, and the sea vanished. And I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared and ready, like a bride dressed to meet her husband. I heard a loud voice speaking from the throne: “Now God’s home is with people! He will live with them, and they shall be his people. God himself will be with them, and he will be their God. He will wipe away all tears from their eyes. There will be no more death, no more grief or crying or pain. The old things have disappeared.”

Then the one who sits on the throne said, “And now I make all things new!” He also said to me, “Write this, because these words are true and can be trusted.” And he said, “It is done! I am the first and the last, the beginning and the end. To anyone who is thirsty I will give the right to drink from the spring of the water of life without paying for it. Those who win the victory will receive this from me: I will be their God, and they will be my children.”
Revelation 21.1-7