MOURN

MATTHEW 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted (NKJV). The Message translation reads, “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you” (MSG).

Beloved friends, when you’ve experienced deep pain at this level, God is the ONLY source of comfort. I believe God’s heart grieves for those in sin who refuse to repent or attempt to justify it. I’ve cried so many tears in my life over sin – the guilt and shame over things I’ve done that can never be erased from MY mind. In God’s eyes, I am no longer condemned, but justified and forgiven for ALL. It’s only by God’s grace and comfort of the Holy Spirit that I can be humble and comforted in these moments.

PROVERBS 28:13 People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy (NLT).

Here are a few examples of God’s mercy:  Truth that I’ve shared that has deeply wounded people I love. Deep hurts I’ve carried for many years that I can’t trust anyone with but God, Heartache over lost things that most people have never experienced – maybe today, there are some of you mourning in similar or different ways. One early morning, I was in the floor in the midst of an “ugly cry.” There was no way any one person could comfort me in this moment of “mourning,” BUT GOD. And, He did.

2 CORINTHIANS 7:10 For Godly grief, produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death (ESV).

Dear friends, the Holy Spirit lovingly caught me in that one moment and held me in a way that I’d never experienced before. He told me how much HE loved me. He also told me that what was happening was something only “I” could go through, but that through the pain, He would be glorified.

2 CORINTHIANS 1:4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us (NLT). And, in the midst of this season, I knew my relationship with God would grow deeper and more intimate. That’s exactly what’s happened in my life. Since that morning, I recommitted my life to Christ, and I will serve Him regardless of the cost because of the “price” He paid for ME. 2 CORINTHIANS 5:21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ (NLT).

© Lee Gossett 2015