Blessed Are Those Who Mourn
for They Will Be Comforted!
January 12, 2025
Scripture: Matthew 5:4
In C.S. Lewis book, A Grief Observed, Lewis says that one of the most disquieting dimensions of grief is God's silence. Lewis notes, "When you are happy, so happy that you have no sense of needing him, so happy that you feel his claims upon you and turn to him with gratitude and praise. You feel like your are welcomed with open arms. Lewis goes on and writes, "But go to him when your need is desperate, when all other help is vain, and what do you find? A door slammed in your face and a sound of bolting and double bolting on the inside. After that, silence." "What can this mean?" Lewis asks. "Why is he so present a commander in our time of prosperity and so very absent a help in time of trouble?"
Mourning is inevitable. Nobody likes the experience of mourning, but sooner or later everyone will experience grief and tragic losses at some time in one’s life.
So, what are we to make of what Jesus says about grief, about morning. Blessed/happy are those who mourn for they will be comforted. For most, this is the exact opposite of what is logical. Usually, happiness is the avoidance of grief or things that bring pain. The world says, “Blessed are those who laugh,” Christ’s kingdom says, Blessed are those who mourn. So, what does Jesus mean?
The word mourn here is a strong word for sorrow and grief. Scripture notes several types of mourning. It was used of someone mourning the death of a loved one. In Genesis 23, Abraham mourned over the death of his wife, Sarah. Jacob, thinking his son Joseph was killed by wild animals, mourned (Genesis 37:34). The Egyptians mourned for Jacob at the time of his death. In 2 Samuel 1, David mourned greatly over the death of Saul and his beloved friend, Saul’s son, Jonathan. The disciples’ mourned about Jesus dying before they knew He was raised from the dead (Mark 16:10).
Even though mourning is often associated with death, grief can be the result of any sort of loss or major life change. Losing your job or possessions, having your house burn down, an accident, having an identity crisis, getting divorced, having a rebellious child, having health issues, having to move, unfulfilled expectations or 101 other things can cause grief.
Revelation 18:11, 15 notes merchants will mourn over the destruction of their system of commerce.
The sorrowful mourning can also be over personal sin. For instance, David wrote in Psalm 51:3, For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Over the years, I have met numerous people who carry guilt and grief over their past failures.
Scripture also notes grief over the sin of others. Psalm 119:136 notes, Tears stream down from my eyes, because they do not keep Your law. Jesus wept over Jerusalem because of the heartedness, the sinfulness, of the people (Matthew 23:37). Parents all too often grieve over the sin of their children.
Now, please realize that mourning/grief is a normal part of life in this world. Also, believers in Christ are not exempt from grief.
Yet, if we are to have inner joy, peace, a happiness then we need to apply key principles in dealing with the various issues of mourning. I like Paul’s statement in II Corinthians 6:10, Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing. The Apostle Paul grasped the meaning of this beatitude. Even in the mourning/the sorrow, the grief, he rejoiced. He had an inner joy, peace, happiness. How can we say like Paul, sorrowful, yet always rejoicing? You may have heard some of these principles before, but it is important to hear again and take to heart!
Principle 1: Know Jesus! Know His mission was to bring comfort to those who mourn!
If you took to heart being poor in spirit and came to believe/to know Jesus is Lord of your life then you hold the keys to having inner joy, peace, a happiness as you deal with mourning!
The Apostle Paul in Philippians 3 noted the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus. He learned having right relationship with the Lord comes by faith in Christ. Philippians 3:10,11 states, I want to know Christ--yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Paul experienced Jesus’ comfort in being saved, in knowing Jesus!
Jesus brings comfort for those who mourn! This is what was prophesied by Isaiah hundreds of years earlier. Isaiah 61:1-3a, The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,2 to pro claim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
His mission was and is to comfort all who mourn. This is the Good News that only the gospel of Jesus Christ brings! Jesus came to comfort the mourning.
Principle 2: Cry out to God for help! Express your grief to the Lord! Acknowledge the pain and seek God’s presence!
Scripture repeatedly tells and illustrates the importance of crying out for help when overwhelmed in grief. For instance, Psalm 42:9-11 states, I say to God my Rock, “Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?” 10 My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, “Where is your God?” 11 Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
James 4:8-10. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning, and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you. The starting point of drawing near to God is being poor in spirit and crying out for help to the Lord.
If you are mourning about some sin, repent of the sin and confess it unto the Lord. Then take to heart, I John 1:9, If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Many simply do not want to deal with their emotional pain. I experienced the tendency to suppress emotions mentally years ago. I would not cry or express my pain. This was not good!
Others feel God has abandoned them, so they abandon God. Luke 18:1 indicates you pray or give up.
Others simply do not want to change their behavior. They ignore their troubles and attempt to deal with it through the things of this world such as drinking or drugs. Some will attempt to deal with their pain by changing their circumstances. I know when I was going through a period of depression, I simply wanted to run. So many hold onto their grief, their sin, their self-will, and as a result fall into despair, depression, and the heart becomes hard.
It is so important to process your grief by taking it to the Lord, to cry, to mourn, and express your pain. Paul summed up this principle in Philippians 4:6-7 states, Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Principle 3: Have a proper perspective of ALMIGHTY GOD!
If you know the story of Job, the LORD allowed Satan to sift Job as a test of faith. Job lost his children and then he was afflicted physically. Job’s wife told him to curse God and die. Job refused. Yet, Job struggled with the grief and the pain. He questioned why he had to go through so much pain and suffering. He started to have the attitude, “poor little me.” This is not right for what I have to suffer.
Then at the end of the book, chapters 38-41 the Lord appeared to Job and challenged Him. Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. 4 “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. 5 Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it?...12 “Have you ever given orders to the morning, or shown the dawn its place (Job 38:3-5, 12)?
The Lord questions Job for 4 chapters like this. Job needed a bigger God.
So often, we start thinking why me? We might not say it or even consciously realize that we blame God. How important it is to know God is Almighty!
Principle 4: Wholeheartedly believe Jesus gives us the victory over sin and the sting of death!!!!
One Scripture passage that I typically share during a funeral is from I Corinthians 15. The Apostle Paul writes, For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
55 “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 15:53-57).
Jesus has given us victory over sin and death. Through His blood we are forgiven! Paul understood that he was a wretched man, but Jesus gave him victory. Paul writes in Romans 7:24,25, What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! Since sin and death run rampant in this world, we grieve, we mourn, but we can take heart Jesus Christ has overcome this world. He gives us victory.
Almost 7 years ago, I was mourning over the imminent passing of my mother. I felt that I needed time alone with the Lord. So, I started reading the God’s word. For some reason, I read John 11. It is the story of the death of Lazarus. Note John 11…….
What really hit me was verses 25, 26, Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” As I read those verses, I was convicted. I had preached for years about Jesus and the resurrection. Yet, now in my grief I was challenged to really take it to heart. Please be assured Jesus Christ has risen from the dead and has given us victory over sin and death.
Principle 5: Know God is good all the time! He is with you!
The reason Adam and Eve fell was because they doubted God’s goodness. Satan said to Eve, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” 2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’” Satan responded, 4 “You will not certainly die. For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” The women saw the fruit was good and pleasing to the eye and desiring to gain wisdom she at and gave some to Adam to eat (Genesis 3:1-6).
He wants us to doubt that what God commands is for our best interests. The Evil One wants to have us doubt God’s love and goodness. It is critical to know and tell ourselves regularly that God is good all the time. As Psalm 100:5 states, For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.
We need to hold onto what Paul writes in Romans 8:28, And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
I got a text from a person that I use to pastor in Illinois. He was telling me about some of his struggles. He noted that a friend of his gave him this message. “Sometimes God will isolate before He elevates you. You may think that everything is falling apart but in reality everything is falling into place.” It is a good message. God is good all the time!
Principle 6: Be comforted by God’s word!
God comforts mourners through his Word. Romans 15:4 says, For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
Psalm 119:71, 72 states, It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.
72 The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.
God frequently comforts us with His word! This is why I like to share encouraging Scripture verses with others such as what Paul writes in Romans 15:13, May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
II Thessalonians 2:16, 17, May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
Principle 7: Forget the past and look forward to what lies ahead. Live for today, not yesterday. Press on!
Paul wrote in Philippians 3:13, 14, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
I came across this statement in an email this past week.
Forget your past sin. They are forgiven and forgotten at the cross. The past will only handcuff the present.
Forget your sorrows. Past sorrows suffocate present mercies.
Forget shortcomings. Don't let your past define your future. Never let the sense of past failure defeat
your next step.
Forget your past successes. Your past achievements come from the hand of God. Exhibit humility.
Forget your sufferings. Don't nurse your hurts, don't rehearse your hurts, don't curse your hurts, but reverse your hurts. Hurts will only make you bitter or better.
Here is the bottom line: Unpack the hurtful, painful and distressing things of yesterday and leave them at the foot of the cross. Make the past, past at last. The future holds hope; reach out for it. Do not live life looking into the rear vision mirror. Look forward through the windscreen. Walking daily with Christ will make all the difference.
Principle 8: Be open to be comforted by others. Express your grief.
God comforts mourners through the ministry of other people. (Note II Corinthians 1:3, 4.) While Paul was in prison, God refreshed him many times through Onesiphorus and others (II Timothy 1:16). God often lavishes his comfort on us through other believers as well.
There are times when I have told hurting people, “This is why God has sent me.” Even though talking to someone about your feelings seems simple, it can be extremely challenging. People may feel safer shutting everyone else out during their time of grief. Resist that urge and find someone you can share your feelings. Talk about your loss and feelings with family, friends, a support group, pastor, or a counsellor.
If you struggle with that, then consider expressing your grief by journaling or by writing about your grief. Writing a message about your emotions can be a great aid for coping. Journal about positive memories.
Last year, Rip’s wife, Ruth, passed away. He struggled for most of the year. Yet, during that time he wrote a book about Ruth and her writings. He finished the book this past week. I honestly believe the process of reviewing her writing and producing a book about her helped him process his grief.
Principle 9: Take care of yourself!
Get adequate sleep. Eat healthy. Take care of your physical needs. Be patient with yourself if you have difficult days.
Lastly, remember mourning is inevitable, but it is also temporary. Hold onto the fact that as believers in Christ there is something far better!
As the saying goes, “We are here today, gone tomorrow.” Life is short. It goes fast. So, I like what Paul writes in Romans 8:18, For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
I also like Paul’s statement in Philippians 1:21, For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Revelation 21:3, 4, And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
Today, I want to close with this video of the song, Sing again!
Sometimes the pain felt like a hallow in my chest
Sometimes I struggle just to take another step
All I could see was shadows looming up ahead
Will we find some peace in the end
Through all the fear and doubt, we long for better days
And in our hopelessness we tried to find our way
Yet in the strife we saw a glimmer through the haze
Even in the sorrow we can still believe
This lonely heart will sing again
These barren lungs will breathe again
Through suffering we're stronger
In the palm of His hand
Like a beacon in the night
Hope illuminates the sky
Reaching for each other
And as we carry on
We are keepers of the light
We now remember who we are and how to live
To love with open arms, to heal and to forgive
And we'll keep shining like a city on a hill
Even in the sorrow, we can still believe
This lonely heart will sing again
These barren lungs will breathe again
Through suffering we're stronger
In the palm of His hand
Like a beacon in the night
Hope illuminates the sky
Reaching for each other
And as we carry on
We are keepers of the light
Our lonely hearts will sing again
Our barren lungs will breathe again
Together we are stronger
And as we carry on
We are keepers of
Keepers of the light
We'll make it through the night
