Those Who Mourn!

Those who Mourn!

“Blessed [forgiven, refreshed by God’s grace] are those who mourn [over their sins and repent], for they will be comforted [when the burden of sin is lifted]. Matthew 5:4 AMP

The Context and Focus:

Following on from yesterday's devotion, we again read from the first sermon that Jesus preached on the mountain, as he sat down with his disciples, and a large crowd also listening to Him at the foot of the mountain. As was pointed out, the immediate audience was his disciples first of all, as you cannot command loyal and faithful service and devotion from people who do not recognize or accept your authority. You cannot command allegiance from people who are not your subjects or citizens. That has to be settled firmly in my heart, as I read the words above. The focus in today's verse are 'those who mourn', and the verse above has helped to clarify who these people are. These are people who have come to the unambiguous and clear understanding of who they are, what they have done, and what they really need. It has to be again mentioned that you cannot be of much help to someone who does not need help, or does not know s/he needs help.

The Message:

That has to be the start point. Until a man knows and admits that he is a sinner, and that no one else except Jesus can save him, that man cannot be helped. Until a man is able to totally surrender his life to the control, influence and direction of Jesus as Lord and Saviour, that man still needs help. The best of men are all sinners, because, by the very nature of conception, we inherit the sinful nature of Adam. All who are born of women are born into sin, and this is why God had to break the law of natural conception so that the One who would offer the perfect sacrifice for sin would not have the sinful nature. The blood of Jesus has become the perfect platform for the forgiveness of sin for the whole world, and all who come to Him receive cleansing, forgiveness and redemption, as well as the assurance of eternal life with God at the end of this present earthly phase. If I will receive the blessing that is promised at the end of the verse, I have to be sure that my life aligns with the conditions at the start of the verse.

The Conclusion:

The promise for those who mourn for their sin and repent and turn to Jesus, is comfort. This comfort is not like the one the world gives, and can take away at will. This is the comfort that the presence of God in a man's life can birth and sustain all through that man's life. It does not matter what the weight of the past is or what the pressures of the present are; when God comes in, He changes the story and the perspective, as well as the future. Sin comes with a burden, because it is of and from the devil, who has no free gift. The mission of the devil is to steal, kill and destroy and that is all he can offer, because that is all he has. God has mercy that forgives sin, and then supplies grace and comfort that provide all that a man needs for life and Godliness. He lifts the burden of sin away, and then gives a burden for other souls who are still under the burden of sin. Have I been forgiven? Have I received comfort from God? It is time to extend the same grace to other people. God is counting on me. God's time of favour is here.