As we go through the Beattitudes, we discover why Jesus says that blessed are those who mourn. We know that God comforts those who mourn. But also He hears the prayers of those who mourn over their own sin and are repentant. Not only that, but the Bible tells us that when we see our brothers and sisters hurting, we should be by their side; we should help, we should pray for them, and even weep with them as they weep. That’s how we show love.
Matthew 5:1-12
And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Not only does God send us The Comforter, The Holy Spirit, He gives us strength through hardship. It is often a time when we draw nearer to God and depend more on Him. He is the only source of our joy and only God can give us the strength to endure. Of course we should always surround ourselves with other believers, not only in times of need, but to lift each other up. God tells us in Proverbs that 3 cords cannot easily be broken, and in Hebrew He tells us not to forsake the assembling of ourselves to edify one another (in other words be a part of a local church; not just showing up on Sundays, but being a part of a church family and a life group). So as we go through life, let us remember that the struggles we go through will help us be better; and that God is with us through it all.
James 1:2-4
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
No matter what we go through, God is there. and He will never leave you or forsake you. And remember, Jesus came to the earth for us. He died for us. He went through much suffering for us. He came to save the lost.
Hebrews 12:1-2
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Jesus found it to be joy to die on the cross for our sins, knowing that many would be saved because of it. Paul often talked about the joy that was in him when he heard about the growth of the church. On the other hand he would mourn over the sin of those in the church. I believe that God mourns over our sins and delights when someone turns from their sin (His will is that all come to repentance).
2 Corinthians 12:20-21
For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults; lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication, and lewdness which they have practiced.
We should have the same thoughts toward sin. We know that God hates sin. Do we not love God for all He has done for us? If we love God, let us keep His commandments. Let us mourn over our sins in humility.
James 4:7-10
Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.
As we turn from our sins, as we feel sorrow because of our disobedience and turn to Him in humility, He will always lift us up. He is our Comforter.
2 Corinthians 7:6-13
Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming, but also by the consolation with which he was comforted in you, when he told us of your earnest desire, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more. For even if I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it. For I perceive that the same epistle made you sorry, though only for a while. Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter. Therefore, although I wrote to you, I did not do it for the sake of him who had done the wrong, nor for the sake of him who suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear to you. Therefore we have been comforted in your comfort. And we rejoiced exceedingly more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.
Sometimes Paul had harsh words for his disciples. But sometimes we need those harsh words. Sometimes we need to be reminded of our sin and of who God Almighty is. If you never feel convicted at your church, maybe you should find a different one; one that tells the gospel truth no matter who it might offend. Sometimes the truth does hurt, and we need to be reminded of it. We need to be reminded that life is short and while we are on this earth we should strive to honor God, to show our love for Him, to love others, and to share His good news with all those around us.
Ecclesiastes 7:2-3
Better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for that is the end of all men; and the living will take it to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter, for by a sad countenance the heart is made better.
The author here is telling us we need to be reminded that we all die and one day we will stand before the Lord. One day we will be asked the question of what did we did with our life and what did we do with the Son of the Father. The purpose of the truth of the gospel is for repentance and restoration, though some things may hurt. By reminding us of our sin, that makes it so much more glorious when we think of what Christ did for us, to save us from our sins. We should have a sadness for the sins we have committed, to make us all the more love God and follow Him. And as we are guided by the Holy Spirit, we will have patience through our trials and have joys through our struggles and persecution knowing that one day we will be in the presence of God almighty and Jesus Christ will be at the mercy seat, saying, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
James 1:2-4
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
2 Corinthians 1:3-7
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.
What a wonderful gift, knowing that our sufferings can be used by the Lord to comfort others. As we go through our struggles in life, God works in us to make us stronger and to grow; we can also use those struggles to be there for someone else so that they may be encouraged through whatever they are going through. I have mentioned before a quote that I heard somewhere, that sometimes God calms the storm, but other times He walks with you through the storm. If we keep our eyes on Jesus, we will not sink. How grateful I am to God for helping me through my struggles, for guiding me, and for putting others in my life to encourage me and comfort me when I need it. Mostly I thank God the Father for sending His Son Jesus Christ, who gives me hope of salvation and eternal life.
2 Thessalonians 2:13-17
But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle. Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.
