THE BEATITUDES (6)
TOPIC: THE BEATITUDES (6)
TEXT: MATTHEW 5:1-12
MEMORY VERSE: “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” – Matthew 5:4
“Blessed, happy are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” This sound strange but any formula for joy and happiness must take into account the fact that there will be unhappy days. Life does not always lead us through green pastures; we often encounter valleys and shadows. When we recognize our spiritual destitution (the first beatitude), a natural result is mourning over our spiritual needs (the second beatitude). The first beatitude underlines the fact that we must depend on God and not on self, while the second beatitude is an initial step toward God. Mourning over sins produces a penitent heart which leads to obedience and forgiveness. The closer we draw to the Lord, the happier we shall be.
In this life, we have at least two sources of comfort. First is comfort from promises found in God’s Word. For instance, I have already noted that sorrowing over one’s spiritual condition will result in repentance, which will result in obedience to the Lord, which in turn will result in being forgiven of past sins. Another source of strength for the spiritual mourner is God’s providential care and protection. Paul wrote, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).
In bad times, we should take this verse to heart that we shall be comforted also here on earth; Jesus said, “…In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” – John 16:33. No matter what you are going through, even when you are in the valley of life, God said, “I will be with you” – Isaiah 43:2. It is already a verdict in your favour that you shall be blessed when you mourn (when things turn), when God turns your captivity, it will be like a dream. For he that sows in tears shall reap in joy. He that goes forth and weeps, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him – Psalm 126. Remember that spiritual mourning requires a proper sense of values. If our priorities are right, we will not be so unhappy over matters that are really unimportant. Keep in mind that the emphasis in the beatitude is that true and lasting happiness will come from the promise of the beatitude: We can be happy when we mourn because God has promised us comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3, 4a; Isaiah 61:1-3, Luke 4:16-21).
The Bible is littered with stories of how Jesus comforted people during His earthly ministry and He is still in the same business and while He was leaving this world, He gave us an assurance that He will send us a Comforter which is the Holy Spirit. To be truly comforted in this hopeless world, you must have Holy Spirit in your inside; He is the greatest Comforter (John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7). Weeping is not a permanent visitor; it is here for the night, then gone, and singing comes to take up residence. In this life, there will always be the succession of weeping, then joy, then weeping, and then singing, and so on (Psalm 30:5). It is only in heaven that joy will have permanent residence in our hearts. Life is full of ups and downs but God has giving us the Holy Spirit and His Words to flatten the curves. Whatever sorrow you may experience on your journey towards heaven, be rest assured that God will wipe away your tears on the last day – Revelation 21:4.
“Mourning over sins produces a penitent heart which leads to obedience and forgiveness. The closer we draw to the Lord, the happier we shall be.”
Central Truth