>>>
Matthew 5:4 - The Blessing of Mourning is Comfort.

Matthew 5:4 (NIV) Blessed are those who 
mourn, for they will be comforted.  

Matthew 5:4 (NLT) God blesses those who 
mourn, for they will be comforted.   

COMMENTARY PEARL

   A man in my neighborhood was robbed and 
beaten to death. I saw the report on the evening 
news. While I did not recognize the mans name 
or face, I grieved the loss of his life. I 
grieved for my city that is plagued with high rates 
of unemployment, poverty, and crime. I have 
considered packing up and moving to another 
neighborhood or another city and state. Each time I make 
this proposal to my husband, he reminds me that 
unemployment, poverty, and crime are problems across the 
nation. He is right.  
   There is nowhere to run from these 
problems. My protection or safekeeping is not a place. 
My protection is a person, and His name is 
Jesus. Gospel artists sing, Jesus is a fence! 
And what is considered the Psalm of Protection 
says, Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most 
High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I 
will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my 
fortress, my God, in whom I trust (Psalm 
91:1"2, NIV).  
   Newspaper headlines make it clear that no 
city is without the presence of evil. While 
school students engage in community service and 
volunteer work, school shootings are at an all-time 
high. While police officers serve and protect, 
incidents of police brutality also occur with 
saddening regularity. In life, we have a myriad of 
reasons to mourn, and by all means, let us freely 
mourn because there is a promise in our tears. 
When our hearts are heavy, Jesus comes quickly to 
comfort us. His arms embrace us. He is our safe 
harbor and rock for all the ages. by Alice Thompson 
 
   Faith Step: Throughout the day, softly 
say the name of Jesus. Feel the power of His 
name seal you in His peace and protection. 
[Mornings With Jesus 2020 Devotional by Guideposts and 
Zondervan] 

COMMENTARY

   We want to add words to the blessing. We 
want an explanation of why the mourners mourn. 
Are they grieving death? Their own sin? The 
condition of the world? The suffering they must 
endure? It could be any of these. It could even be 
all of them. All we know is that Jesus promises 
comfort to the brokenhearted. 
   That, too, is an ancient theme in 
Scripture. Psalm 34:17-19 declares it clearly, 
specifically with regard to those who suffer because of 
or in spite of their righteousness. The world 
is a place of many trials and troubles, and 
things don't always work out well for those who 
believe. Only redemption promises glory and makes our 
lives ultimately worthwhile. As Paul would say, if 
our hope is only in this life, we should be 
pitied above all others (1 Corinthians 15:19). But 
current suffering is never worth comparing to future 
glory (Romans 8:18). Broken hearts, crushed 
spirits, and days of mourning come to an end. 
   This is the promise of Jesus. He came to 
destroy the works of the evil one (1 John 3:8). He 
undoes all kinds of evil and its consequences, 
offering beauty for ashes and joy instead of mourning 
(Isaiah 61:3). His ministry wipes away every tear 
(Revelation 21:4). The mourning of the heart is 
temporary; the comfort of God lasts forever. 
   Even so, the culture of the Kingdom does 
not demand that we get rid of a broken heart as 
quickly as possible. There's no need to cover it up, 
no need to fake a smile, no need to pretend to 
be happy when our hearts are crushed. We should 
be relentless optimists; in the Kingdom of God, 
the best is always yet to come. But mourning is 
an appropriate response to the brokenness of 
this world and of our own lives. 
   Don't embrace mourning as a friend, but 
don't see it as an enemy either. It opens your 
heart to the promises of God and the joys of His 
Kingdom. It turns your face toward glory, now and 
forever. And it comes with a promise of joy. [The One 
Year Heaven On Earth Devotional by Chris 
Tiegreen] 

THE GRIEVING ASPECT OF MOURNING

   Grief is letting go of something we've 
lost. It's saying, "Goodbye. I can't keep you. 
You've left me." If our health has left us, we say 
goodbye to it. If we've lost a business, we say 
goodbye to the financial security. If a person has 
died, we say goodbye to that relationship. This 
saying goodbye is necessary for our well-being. The 
function of grief is that it gives us an outlet for 
our sadness and loss. Without it, we can 
actually get stuck in anxiety, depression, or anger. 
Grief says, "I've got to empty out the pain so 
that I can eventually move on. 
   Weeping and other physical expressions of 
grief actually help us renew our minds. Weeping 
helps us let go and move on. If you have suffered 
a loss that you haven't gotten over, consider 
doing something physical to honor that loss. 
Consider talking to a friend about it. We are able to 
move through grief when we share it with another 
person. 
   Mourning is a part of life. Comfort comes 
when we pour out our grief through tears and 
allow a friend to meet us in the midst of it. [The 
Daniel Plan 365-Day Devotional] 

LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE

Matthew 5:4 - Blessings in Grief and Sorrow: 

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2005/20051012-1020.html 

YOUR COMMENTS

If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or 
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either 
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in 
hearing from you.  Thanks in advance and let's keep 
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred 
Gibbs  

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

Most Important Decision in Life: 
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0 

A Man without Equal by Bill Bright: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo 

Seeking God Made Real: 
http://vimeo.com/31489782 

Prayer Made Real: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE 

Importance of Choice: 
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]  

Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David 
DeRose, MD, MPH: 
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart 

LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES 

Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: 
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/ 

Amazing Facts Bible Studies: 
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx  

Hope Awakens Bible Study Guides: 
https://www.hopeawakens.study/lesson-header;id=2 

Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: 
http://www.bibleresearch.info/ 

LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS

Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of 
Adventist World Radio (currently live): 
https://bible.awr.org/the-warning/ 

Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW: 
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens 

The Last Day of Prophecy by Pastor Doug 
Batchelor: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGvdtMCf1aJTiC59-lPtuUMEq_uEn0BK 

Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657