Scripture_Matthew 5:4
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Greetings: Praise God for this day, for His eternal word which is a lamp unto our feet and truly a light unto our path. Today as we meditate on the second verse in the Beatitudes, I pray that you be blessed. If you find yourself in a momentary place of mourning, rejoice because the Lord is coming to you with comfort that only He can give. He will never leave us or forsake us. As I write to myself, once again, you are privy to this conversation with the Lord as I have found myself poor in spirit at times and mourning. When He reminds us, and we remind one another about who the Lord is to us, who we are to Him, and all the good deeds He has done, we are lifted out of that place of mourning.
Meditation:
Meditation:
As we recall, the term Beatitude comes from the Latin adjective beatus which means happy, fortunate, or blissful.
In this discourse in Matthew 5:4, Jesus pronounces a blessing upon those who mourn saying happy, fortunate, and blissful are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. I don't know about you, but I am not naturally happy when I am down. I am tempted to think on the wrong things and our adversary surely knows how to send a fiery dart or two to confirm what is over, finished, past, and done. Nonetheless, in God, we will praise His word because He sends arrows of deliverance! We must remember that no matter what the problem is, Jesus knows about it and will glorify His name through it all.
I think of the wisdom the apostle Paul gave us from a place where he could have chosen to write words contrary to what we read. He was imprisoned because of his stand for Christ, certainly not a lovely place to be, but it was a fruitful place from which we receive words that still encourage us today. At this residence, he wrote in Philippians verses that show us how he found this rest and contentment, and how we too can rejoice when tempted to given in to discouragement. Paul writes in 4:6:
In this discourse in Matthew 5:4, Jesus pronounces a blessing upon those who mourn saying happy, fortunate, and blissful are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. I don't know about you, but I am not naturally happy when I am down. I am tempted to think on the wrong things and our adversary surely knows how to send a fiery dart or two to confirm what is over, finished, past, and done. Nonetheless, in God, we will praise His word because He sends arrows of deliverance! We must remember that no matter what the problem is, Jesus knows about it and will glorify His name through it all.
I think of the wisdom the apostle Paul gave us from a place where he could have chosen to write words contrary to what we read. He was imprisoned because of his stand for Christ, certainly not a lovely place to be, but it was a fruitful place from which we receive words that still encourage us today. At this residence, he wrote in Philippians verses that show us how he found this rest and contentment, and how we too can rejoice when tempted to given in to discouragement. Paul writes in 4:6:
Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 4:7, And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.Then he says in verse 8:
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
What are you thinking about? What thoughts run a marathon through your mind? Do they align with pity, on the side, discouragement, or His name? If not His name, we need to call on praise to trip them up and take them out! Do we talk as though there is no helper? I must admit, I had to listen to myself today and say, "This is not the conversation that aligns with lovely, pure, good reports" and once again, pull up that shield of faith and hold high the sword of His word. Praise God He pulls us up and out.
However, some may be grieving, especially in this season of year which can be lonely for a multitude of reasons. In these times, I have found comfort in remembering and reflecting on the Christmas story in Luke 1-2. The Lord came to us as a babe born in a filthy manger, not a palace. He came to the lowliest abode because he knew He would redeem a poor people, a contrite people who have no other hope. He lived to die so we can know Him eternally and he is acquainted with all of the feelings of our infirmities. If you find yourself down, please surround yourself with others who love God, and stretch out your hand to someone in need. Not only will you partake in sharing the love of Christ Jesus who gave Himself for all mankind, but somehow...those feelings do fade. We comfort others with the comfort the Lord gives to us. Even when we may not feel comforted, reach out. His compassion will flow to you and through you.
God will always put a rainbow in the sky. It ain't over!!! Let's pray.
However, some may be grieving, especially in this season of year which can be lonely for a multitude of reasons. In these times, I have found comfort in remembering and reflecting on the Christmas story in Luke 1-2. The Lord came to us as a babe born in a filthy manger, not a palace. He came to the lowliest abode because he knew He would redeem a poor people, a contrite people who have no other hope. He lived to die so we can know Him eternally and he is acquainted with all of the feelings of our infirmities. If you find yourself down, please surround yourself with others who love God, and stretch out your hand to someone in need. Not only will you partake in sharing the love of Christ Jesus who gave Himself for all mankind, but somehow...those feelings do fade. We comfort others with the comfort the Lord gives to us. Even when we may not feel comforted, reach out. His compassion will flow to you and through you.
God will always put a rainbow in the sky. It ain't over!!! Let's pray.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, you have been good to me. When my heart detours, please bring to remembrance that you are greater than my heart and ever faithful. My soul waits upon you. From you comes my expectation. Above all that I see, I rejoice because I belong to you and you are mine. As I sang in my youth, He's Got the Whole World In His Hands. Surely, you have my life in the palm of your hands. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning! For this I give you praise! In Jesus' name.
Eternally yours,
Amen.
Amen.
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