By Kim | May 31, 2017 at 07:05 AM EDT |
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Matthew 5:4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." The second quality the Lord speaks of is that of mourning. Interesting isn't it that He speaks of us being happy while we mourn. But think about it. To even be ready to enter into the Kingdom, Jesus instructed us first to repent. We have to first see our sin and be sorry for it in order to turn and give it to God. Why do we sorrow over sin? Because we see that it separates us from our Father. And not only for our own selves. We sorrow for others who experience this separation in their lives, as well. Jesus Himself looked on those for whom He came and cried out, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing (Matthew 23:37)." And there is yet another separation that causes us sorrow, the separation that comes when those we love leave this world and enter into their eternal home. The shortest verse in the Bible is John 11:35, Jesus wept. He was at the tomb of Lazarus, weeping with his family and friends. When Jesus saw her (Mary) weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled (vs. 33). Our mourning stems from compassion, seeing a need and longing for it to be fulfilled. Our sorrow is not like that of the world. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death (2 Corinthians 7:16). For in our sorrow, we have One who has given Himself that all sorrow be swallowed up in victory, One who intercedes for us to bring God's answer for our sorrow. Jesus stood at that tomb of Lazarus and called his name and commanded him to come out of there! Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors (Isaiah 53:12). His Great Sorrow led to His Great Victory--and ours! Our sorrows are but valleys for God's provision to fill. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. . . You prepare a table before me. . . .my cup overflows (Psalm 23). And Jesus has made way for us to receive the precious gift of the Father, Holy Spirit, also called the Comforter. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God (2 Corinthians 1:3, 4). Yes, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." He turns our mourning into dancing!