Matthew 5:4 (NASB)
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Each of us will face a time to mourn. Our sorrow comes in many forms:
Physical
Emotional
Spiritual
Physical loss comes from the loss of tangible things. These may include:
People
Places
Things
The person you used to touch is no longer near. The place you used to go no longer exists. Many of us experienced this type of loss on September 11th. For those of us who have ever been to the World Trade Center, there is a sense of loss. The loss of possessions during a natural disaster would also fall into this category.
The second type of loss that we deal with is emotional loss. A loss of happiness, security, completeness and a sense of fulfillment. Physical loss and emotional loss often types walk hand in hand, because our emotional stability is intertwined with physical things.
Finally and what I would consider most important there is spiritual loss. Spiritual loss comes from a complete recognition of our sinful nature and actions. We realize that we are missing out on God’s best. There is a complete understanding and recognition of hopelessness in our sinful state.
Understanding of complete dependence on God and our inability to save ourselves.
John 16:20 (NASB)
Truly, truly, I say to you, that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will grieve, but your grief will be turned into joy.
God understands our sorrows. He realizes that each of us grieve. God offers a way out. He offers complete comfort, complete joy....He give us Himself.
Let’s look at the physical comfort that God provides.
The embrace of a loved one in a time of crisis. The provision for shelter in a time of loss. Food upon your table each day. Rest for the weary and worn.
Take a look at this promise from scripture.
Psalm 34:15 (NASB)
The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and His ears are open to their cry.
Did you see that. He is looking and listening for His children. He doesn’t ignore your cry.
God also provides emotional comfort to us.
A kind word from a friend. A note of encouragement from a loved one. An inexplicable inner peace.
Look at God’s promises of comfort.
Psalm 34:18 (NASB)
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Most importantly there is the issue of spiritual comfort. Remember God loves you. He has offered you a new and abundant life. Your sin and shame have been taken away by Jesus. They were nailed to the cross with Him. Jesus walks with you hand in hand. The best part of all...He’s coming again to take you home.
Psalm 34:22 (NASB)
The Lord redeems the soul of His servants, and none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned.
Revelation 7:17 (CEV)
…”These are the ones who have gone through the great suffering. They have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb and have made them white. And so they stand before the throne of God and worship Him in His temple day and night. The one who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. They will never hunger or thirst again, and they won’t be troubled by the sun or any scorching heat. The Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd. He will lead them to streams of life-giving water, and God will wipe all tears from their eyes.”
To know peace you must experience conflict
To know joy you must experience sorrow
To know comfort you must experience grief
