Blessed are those who mourn

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4

How happy are those who know what sorrow means for they will be given courage and comfort! Matthew 5:4 (Phillips)

Mourning = sorrow for sin

Mourning leads to repentance

I move beyond mourning the consequences of sin to genuinely mourning the sin and despising it

“Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” James 4:9-10

When I am broken over my sin, that is when my heart and character begin to change.

“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” 2 Corinthians 7:10

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” James 4:8-10

When I am broken over the sins of others, I begin to develop God’s heart for them

“Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.” James 5:20

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!” Matthew 23:37

…they will be comforted.

“He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and 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.” Isaiah 61:1-3

Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; Acts 3:19

How do we apply this:

• Study God’s Holiness and His reaction to sin
• Pray for insight
• Ask God to show you where you need to mourn
• Ask for forgiveness when convicted of sin
• Ask God to break your heart for what breaks His