Joys Comes in the Morning

by | Feb 1, 2021 | Beatitudes, Sermon On The Mount | 1,708 comments

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” (Matthews 5:4). This is the second beatitude Jesus proclaimed on the mountain to his disciples.

When I read this scripture, I immediately thought about all the grief, suffering, and mourning that is occurring during this period of the COVID-19 pandemic. The stories about people who lost mother and father within hours, the loss of jobs and now being hungry and homeless, the increase of suicide and homicide, and on and on and on.

The Bible is filled with people who cried out to Jesus because of despair caused by something that happened to them and they were comforted. This is called natural mourning. A biblical example of natural mourning is:  

 A leader of the synagogue named Jairus fell at Jesus’ feet “and begged him repeatedly, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live” (Mark 5:23). On his way to Jairus’ house, Jesus was touched by a woman with a prolonged issue of blood whose life was flowing from her. After declaring the woman’s faith in Him has made her whole, Jesus continued to Jairus’ house and restored his twelve-year old daughter back to life (Mark 5:24-43). Both the woman and the girl suffered from something that happened to them that they did not cause. But Jesus healed them, giving comfort.

Another type of mourning is called spiritual mourning. Phil Newton said that spiritual mourning “springs from a sense of sin, from a tender conscience, from a broken heart. It is a godly sorrow over rebellion against God and hostility to His will.” A biblical example of spiritual mourning can be found in Luke 7:37-50: 

 “A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them” Luke 7:37-38). Everyone knew she led a sinful life. Somewhere along the line she had an encounter with Jesus that changed her heart. Now she was so sorry for her past that she went uninvited to Simon, the Pharisee’s house, someone who would surely reject her, because it might very well have been her only chance to show her sorrow for her sins and to ask for forgiveness.  This woman’s problem originated within her, caused by her own evil desires. But, because of her contrite heart, Jesus forgave her sins and told her to go in peace (Luke 7:48-50). How comforting. 

 Paul taught two truths about comfort I want to share:

  • God gives us comfort when we mourn. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4a, Amplified Bible says, “Blessed [gratefully praised and adored] be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts and encourages us in every trouble…”  I am so relieved to know that no matter what I do or what is done to me, I can run to Father God and find relief.
  • God has commanded us to comfort to each other when we mourn. 2 Corinthians 1:4 Amplified Bible) reads, “who comforts and encourages us in every trouble so that we will be able to comfort and encourage those who are in any kind of trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 

 Once our troubling circumstance is resolved and we have gratefully received and experienced the comfort of God, we should lovingly encourage others in their grief and sorrow, whether it be natural mourning or spiritual mourning. We can confidently proclaim the truth of the following scriptures:

  • David sang, “Weeping may endure for a night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5b).
  • Jesus promised, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).
  • John taught, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
  • The Lord is anointed to “…provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor” (Isaiah61:1-3).

Jesus said that we would have tribulations in this world (John 16:33). No one, regardless of social, economic, or racial status, will escape troubles that bring mourning.  But I am ecstatic that I serve a God who never leaves me or forsakes me and who will comfort me in times of trouble; whether someone or something did it to me or I brought did it to myself. I am also glad that He commissioned and equipped us to bring comfort to each other. 

Whether you are suffering natural mourning or spiritual mourning, God’s comfort is available to you. No matter how bad the situation is, if you trust God, joy comes in the morning.

Would you share a time when God comforted you or you had the opportunity to comfort someone else during their time of sorrow? Join the conversation. 

Dr. Dorothy J. Haire

Dr. Dorothy J. Haire

Author & Blogger

Both church planter and pastor of Bread of Life Christian Church for the last 18 years, Dr. Haire is a beloved mother and successful author. Empowered to deliver the word of God to His people, Dr. Haire uses her digital platform to educate and develop Christian communities that are rooted in the word of Christ.

Categories