Jesus said, in his sermon on the mount;
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4 NIV
When we’re honest about our sinful state and realize our helplessness—there is one who will meet us there in that state of mourning and love and accept us.
Before I made the decision to turn my life over to the Lord, GOD showed me who I was and the sinful condition of my soul through the mirror of His word. In other words, I was convicted by the gospel message in the Bible. Prior to this, I was blinded. I thought I was ok, not so bad, just a regular guy. Spiritually speaking, I had no idea what I was doing, where I was going and who I had become. GOD met me and flooded my soul with love and grace and gave me the blessed hope of being with Him forever in a perfect place.
Even today I mourn when I fall short. I mourn when I see the effects of sin. I mourn when loved ones die. I mourn when hurt people hurt people. I mourn when people follow lies causing themselves pain and destruction. But I don’t mourn like those who have no hope. Jesus is my hope. I certainly don’t have hope in myself. I don’t have hope in a system. I don’t have hope in a religion. I don’t have hope in mankind’s attempts at utopia. I have hope in a Savior who died and rose again. I have hope in GOD’s promise that that all things will be made right.
Because of Jesus, I’m blessed. I’m blessed to be in GOD’s family. I’m blessed to have eternal life. I’m blessed to have a home in Heaven. I’m blessed because my sins are paid for. The one who gave me this hope, gave me Himself. When He gave me Himself, He gave me peace. When He gave me peace, He gave me comfort and joy.
I know that Jesus is with me regardless of my feelings. He said He would never leave me or forsake me. I know my soul is safe with Him. I know He has a plan and He is on His throne ruling regardless of any circumstances. Truly, I am blessed.
Reflections
Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. John 16:20
Then young women will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow. Mourning will turn to gladness. Jeremiah 31:13
…and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. Isaiah 58:10
Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy; Isaiah 60:5