Note before sharing the devotional: a transcription of the devotional’s video lead - I typically haven’t shared them in these types of posts.
Hey, what's happening, YouVersion community, my name is Derwin L. Gray, I am the lead pastor and cofounder along with my wife Vicky of Transformation Church in the greater Charlotte, North Carolina area. And Matthew 5:4 says this: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” The word “blessed” in the Greek is the word “macros”, and “macros” literally means “happy.” So, a literal translation would be “happy are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” What in the world is “happy”? Jesus is tying our happiness into mourning and God's comfort. What does it mean to mourn? To mourn means that you are sad. So there’s a lot of things to be sad about. First of all, the personal things in our lives to be sad about, whether it’s our own personal sin, whether it’s the way we’ve been wounded, the way we’ve wounded others, as we look at our culture, as we look at the world, that is a lot to mourn and to be sad about. A part of us discovering the happiness that God has called us to experience is to grieve or to mourn, that we cry out and say “Lord, this was wrong,” “this wasn’t just,” “this is bad,” “this hurts.” And in the midst of all of that, we see a crucified Savior who says “I know, but I also rose on the third day, defeating sin and death and evil.” And our hope and our comfort and our happiness is rooted in the One who says “I know your pain, I’ve absorbed your pain, all of the injustice was poured out upon Me so that all of My grace and mercy can be poured upon you.” And the reality is that we may mourn on Friday, but Sunday is coming. In other words, what we don’t grieve won’t leave. So may we grieve so that the God of grace will give us the comfort and the strength that we need. So, “blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
Can anything good come from grief? From mourning a deep loss? From weeping over a profoundly heavy heartache?
While grief is a necessary part of life, no one longs to grieve. But in the second beatitude—a series of promises Jesus made about God’s Kingdom—Jesus said this:
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”Matthew 5:4 ESV
No one can appreciate rain more than someone who’s lived in the desert. No one can value food more than someone who’s truly been starving. And no one can know God as their Comforter like someone who’s desperately needed comfort.
Death, decay, and disappointment are a part of this world. But even in our sorrow and suffering, God stands ready to comfort us—in unique and meaningful ways that only He can.
The Holy Spirit is often called the “Comforter,” as well as “Helper,” “Counselor,” and “Advocate.” This is who He is. Even in our grief, He’s the God who meets us right where we are.
And so, how does God comfort us? He does this through His Spirit, through His Word, and by working in and through His people.
Do you have the eyes to see how He’s pursuing you? Have you opened your heart to His comfort?
If you are a follower of Christ who is mourning today, remember: Jesus Himself promised that you will be comforted. He’s always good, He’s always faithful, and He’s right here, ready to help.
Prayer: God, You see those who mourn, and You promise to comfort them. Please bring healing to my heart when I grieve. Give me hope when I’m feeling hopeless, and strength when I’m feeling. Show me how close You are in the midst of my mourning. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
