In this segment of the Genesis 1 to Revelation 22 Project, we are still implementing soap but in a “devotional manner.” We will still look at the text and draw our observations from the text and seek to apply faithfully. However, the whole segment will be done in a prayerful manner, seeking to engage our hearts and our minds upon Christ and His truth.
SOAP: Read Scripture > Observations on the Context > Apply Faithfully > Pray the Scripture
Blessed are They that Mourn
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
It is not wrong to mourn. There are two aspects of this that we should look at: First, that when we lose a loved one, it is not wrong to mourn. Throughout the Bible we see God’s people mourn when loves one go home. It is wrong to say that mourning is not for the Christian. We are human and mourning is a proper thing. When my mother had two miscarriages, my family mourned. One time during that mournful season, we even had one person come who said that the miscarriage had occurred because we didn’t have faith and Satan stole the baby. What a lie! God took those babies home for a reason that we won’t know till we’re there. After the grieving process was over, I had the joy and clarity from the Lord that, my two little siblings didn’t have to go through the struggles of this life but got to go straight to heaven and spend eternity in the joy of the Lord. I look forward to seeing them. I was grieved and mourned….and then I was comforted by the Lord.
The second is that when we mourn for sin, we do right. We should mourn and agonize—yea sorrow over our sin. That is not wrong, but right. It doesn’t matter if you cry or wail, what really matters is that you are broken over your sin before the Lord. If you are, joy will come, comfort will come, forgiveness will come and the Lord will empower you to walk a different road.
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
James 4:8-10
When you see people mourning in this life whether because of loss or sin, remember the promise of Jesus that there is comfort in Him. Suffering happens in this life but the Believer is not left alone.