The Beatitudes Series by DUO Inspirations - Part 2

“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.”
                                Matthew 5:4 (KJV)
 






​Hi friends,

     How are you?  I hope you are well.  We all have time when we mourn for one reason or another.  It may be a loss of a loved one, a pet, a friend, or even loss of something like a job or a home.  I have read this verse many times and thought this verse was meant to comfort me during just those times. 

     I thought that if we as humans like to comfort each other in times such as these, then how God would want to comfort us during these times so much more we could do for each other.  Even though, I think that many people use this verse for comfort during such mourning, I am not so sure that is really the mourning meant.  However, I do think the words in Matthew 5:4 would be comforting for any type of mourning.  What do you think?

     I know, you may be wondering why I don’t think that this is meant for those mourning such as in the loss of a loved one.  With research, I have found that there is “godly sorrow” and “worldly sorrow” as in 2 Corinthians 7:10.  We also see Jesus’ remark to a man who wanted to be a disciple, but wanted to bury his father first in Luke 9:60, when Jesus said, “let the dead bury their dead.”  Earthly death is a worldly concern.  It is natural for us to feel some sort of sorrow from the loss.  In that instance, the potential disciple was torn between a worldly concern and a heavenly concern.  Jesus was telling him to seek the heavenly concern instead.  If our decision is between an earthly concern and a heavenly concern, we are always called to focus on the heavenly concern.  Jesus didn’t try to comfort and console the man from any sorrow or burial obligation to his father.  Jesus wanted him to focus on heavenly things right then and there.  Why would Jesus talk about mourning physical death, because he knows for those in the kingdom of God, physical death leads to heavenly life?  That is a joyous thing. 

     Again, if we read 2 Corinthians 7:10, we see that it talks about “godly sorrow” as sorrow that leads to repentance.  In other words, it isn’t a worldly loss but sin of some sort, like how we feel really bad if we hurt someone or do things against God of which we aren’t proud.  We wonder how we could be so unkind and do such a thing to God, to others, and to ourselves.  Sometimes, we might feel so bad that we feel down, even be in a funk or depressed.  I believe it is this kind of sorrow and mourning that is meant in Matthew 5:4.

     Also, if we look in Psalms 31:9-10 (KJV), we see King David has written, “Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly. For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.”  King David is crying for help and mercy, because of his iniquity.  He knows that he is feeling the way he is due to his own sinfulness.  And, God will comfort him with through his repentance.
 
Heavenly Father,
      Thank you for the comfort you give.  Thank you for The Beatitudes to help us understand the earthly verses the heavenly joys and which are important.  Help us to appreciate and focus on the heavenly and not the earthly things.  I ask you this through your Son, Jesus.  Amen.
 
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Reflective questions for Matthew 5:4 (KJV):
*What does Matthew 5:4 mean to me?
*What message is God giving me through Matthew 5:4?
*What kind of mourning do I think is meant in Matthew 5:4?
*How do I feel when I read Matthew 5:4?
*What can I do better to appreciate and live according to Matthew 5:4?

Now, it is your turn.
     I am so glad you are here.  I hope you are enjoying The Beatitudes Series.  If you missed Part 1, you can read it here.  I am interested in your thoughts, ideas, prayer requests, suggestions, questions, and more.  Please, feel free to comment below or contact me.  If you are finding value in the Faith Blog by DUO Inspirations, please share it with friends, family, and church members, so they can find value in it as well.  Thank you.  Also, if you haven't already, please consider signing up below to receive the Faith Blog and other faith content by email.  Thank you.  God bless.
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