Hi and welcome to another episode of perspective for today. Today we’re going to continue with our study of the Beatitudes.
Previously we looked at Matthew 5:3 which talked about the poor in spirit. Those who are poor in spirit are totally dependent on God to meet all their needs.
We try to be dependent upon God to meet our needs. But at times the flesh gets in the way and we come short of what God would have for us. At times this can be discouraging and cause us disappointment and sorrow. The next verse we are going to look at speaks about those who mourn.
Matthew 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
This verse does not mean that we mourn over our current circumstances.
Rather, that we have sorrow over our sins. We regret them and seek the Lord’s forgiveness. But as Christians we also mourn for those who do not know Christ and have rejected Him as their Lord and Savior. The very thought of so many lost souls being eternally separated from the Father, should cause us to mourn for them.
2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. Godly sorrow causes us to repent and seek forgiveness. But the sorrow of the world produces death. The world’s sorrow lacks repentance. It is a self-centered regret for wrongdoing and has no intent to turn from the patterns of a sin filled lifestyle. For many, the only sorrow that consumes them is that they got caught.
Psalms 32:10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD.
The wicked have many sorrows, but it is not sorrow over their sin, but rather their daily disappointments.
It could be a failed marriage, a pay raise that didn’t come, failing to stay on a diet, cancer, the inability to overcome addictions, the loss of a loved one. There are many disappointments in this life and how we deal with them determines the outcome. If we trust in the Lord to see us through, then we know that we will be surrounded by his steadfast love. We know that we will have the peace that surpasses all understanding. But for the unbeliever it is worldly comfort they seek. Whether it is from sex, drugs, alcohol, vacations, extramarital affairs, gambling, or anything that will distract them from their current situation. It is a temporary fix that doesn’t give peace or long lasting comfort. Let’s take a look at an encounter Jesus had with a rich young man.
Matthew 19:16 And behold, a man came up to him, saying, Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life? 17 And he said to him, Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments. 18 He said to him, Which ones? And Jesus said, You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, 19 Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 20 The young man said to him, All these I have kept. What do I still lack? 21 Jesus said to him, If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me. 22 When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
Those possessions were a stumbling block to this young man.
In his mind he believed that his riches were of greater importance than his eternity. He was not willing to give his all for Christ. He could not be fully dependent upon God to meet his needs. He was far from being poor in spirit. His sorrow was his regret that he felt his riches were of greater value than a relationship with the One true God. He chose to make his riches his god.
Proverbs 11:4 Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.
You can store up all the treasure you want, but in the end what value is it? Wealth is a major stumbling block for many.
Matthew 6:19-21 Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
If we mourn our sinful nature, then we are ready to repent and surrender and be that living sacrifice.
But if we lay up treasures here on Earth and live within the comforts of worldly wealth we have put division between us and God.
Psalms 30:5 For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.
As Christians we know if we stay the course, there will be joy in the morning.
If we continue to be good and faithful servants, he will see us through from this life to the next.
Revelation 21:4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.
After all is said and done, this is our reward. That we no longer mourn the former things. We will no longer sorrow over our shortcomings. We have a pain free eternity with the Father.