Blessing in Meekness

Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
 
WHEN we experience a loss of some kind, whether it’s losing the ability to do something we like to do, losing a job or losing a beloved to death, how is it possible to feel and know any form of blessing? Jesus’ first answer comes with his promise of comfort. A blessing in the kingdom of heaven occurs amid loss when friends offer encouragement and even come to you to exhibit their love and compassion. In their kindnesses, you graciously experience a closer, loving relationship with people that does not ordinarily occur. Through a heightened focus on God’s Word, prayers and compassion, mournful hearts are made more secure. Blessing comes in the experience of living in unity with Jesus’ compassion.
   Blessing also comes to those who mourn their sinful habits. As the Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin, we grieve the sin and turn from it. Mourning sin leads to a repentant heart. Repentance opens the way for God’s blessings to fill your life with his joyful truths.
   Third, those who mourn experience blessing as they weep over others’ sin. When we truly mourn the unrepentant, the Spirit will move our hearts to teach and demonstrate God’s salvation truths to them. Mourning sin stirs us to act against sin, so we can lead others to God’s comfort.
   Mourners, too, are blessed even as they suffer: The apostle Paul writes in Romans 5:3 We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Suffering leads to salvation. This is a powerful blessing in itself. We may have experienced some form of persecution or violence against our lives because we are Christians. Each nation has its own form of rejecting God and his followers. Faithful Christians will face trouble. Be comforted to know Jesus’ eternal blessing: “For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (Revelation 7:17)
   Yes, when we know loss in so many different forms, we can know our gain is in Christ’s personal care over us now and forever. Joy comes when you know the LORD God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit. 
 
Isaiah 58:14 “Then you will find your joy in the Lord, and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.” The mouth of the Lord has spoken.