God’s Mission
Romans 8:22-24
22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?
Matthew 5:4
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
~ Jesus
Mourning cannot be limited exclusively to expressing sorrow for one's sin … or grief surrounding death. … Rather, "those who mourn" has the more comprehensive sense of Isaiah 61:2-3, an inclusive grief that refers to the disenfranchised, contrite, and bereaved. It is an expression of the intense sense of loss, helplessness, and despair.
~ R.A. Guelich, Sermon on the Mount
In general, a mourner is one who has had something beneficial taken from them – usually without consent or desire. Think of a grieving widow or orphaned child, a dumped boyfriend or fired employee.
While nobody wants to be “in mourning”, this view of mourners leaves Jesus saying even if you are grief-stricken, you’re not beyond blessing. Why might this matter? One mindset of the day saw negative experiences connected with divine judgment (like 1 Kings 17 for example).
1 Kings 17:17-24
17 Some time later the son of the woman who owned the house [where Elijah was staying during a drought] became ill. He grew worse and worse, and finally stopped breathing. 18 She said to Elijah, “What do you have against me, man of God? Did you come to remind me of my sin and kill my son?”
19 “Give me your son,” Elijah replied. He took him from her arms, carried him to the upper room where he was staying, and laid him on his bed. 20 Then he cried out to the Lord, “Lord my God, have you brought tragedy even on this widow I am staying with, by causing her son to die?” 21 Then he stretched himself out on the boy three times and cried out to the Lord, “Lord my God, let this boy’s life return to him!”
22 The Lord heard Elijah’s cry, and the boy’s life returned to him, and he lived. 23 Elijah picked up the child and carried him down from the room into the house. He gave him to his mother and said, “Look, your son is alive!”
24 Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the Lord from your mouth is the truth.”
Bad experiences or loss could lead to being ignored, abandoned, or supposed as having been cursed by God. That’s a far cry from blessing. Jesus’ words reverse that mentality. Just because you’re in a sorrowful place does not mean that you are cursed by God; quite the opposite, you are still loved and able to be blessed.
Take comfort: You are not rejected. The Apostle Paul was clearly committed to living for God. In fact, because of that, he went through many experiences that could be described as negative (2 Corinthians 11:16-33).
2 Corinthians 11:16-33
Paul Boasts About His Sufferings
16 I repeat: Let no one take me for a fool. But if you do, then tolerate me just as you would a fool, so that I may do a little boasting. 17 In this self-confident boasting I am not talking as the Lord would, but as a fool. 18 Since many are boasting in the way the world does, I too will boast. 19 You gladly put up with fools since you are so wise! 20 In fact, you even put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or takes advantage of you or puts on airs or slaps you in the face. 21 To my shame I admit that we were too weak for that!
Whatever anyone else dares to boast about—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast about. 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham’s descendants? So am I. 23 Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?
30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. 31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that I am not lying. 32 In Damascus the governor under King Aretas had the city of the Damascenes guarded in order to arrest me. 33 But I was lowered in a basket from a window in the wall and slipped through his hands.
Many would have crumbled under such troubles. But Paul knew he was loved. Mourners, you have not been abandoned by God; even if life leaves you in a world of pain – He is there; the Comforter is with you.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for the comfort of knowing that even when things seem to go wrong, it is not a sign of rejection by You or Your Father. Thank You for the blessed truth and knowledge that through You sin’s curses are broken and incurred debts have been paid. I am grateful to be blessed and comforted. In Your name I pray. Amen.
Micro-Meditation Scripture
Psalm 119:65-72 (Teth, 9th letter)
- Do good to your servant
according to your word, LORD. - Teach me knowledge and good judgment,
for I trust your commands. - Before I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I obey your word. - You are good, and what you do is good;
teach me your decrees. - Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies, I keep your precepts with all my heart.
- Their hearts are callous and unfeeling,
but I delight in your law. - It was good for me to be afflicted
so that I might learn your decrees. - The law from your mouth
is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.
Micro-Meditation
Teaching or Command of God
John 7:24
Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.”
Matthew 7:2
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Micro-Meditation
Pondering Point
Looking back into your life, how has affliction (Psalm 119 verses 67, 71) drawn your attention toward God? Was it a help or a hindrance to your walk with God?
Journal Prompt: write about
a time when you afflicted.
