The Blessing Promised to Mourners

Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. Mt. 5:4

No one can count how many reasons there are for mourning. We could try to enumerate them, but someone could always step forward and present a new and different cause of pain and sorrow. But this verse is not meant to merely encompass the cases of one or two mourners, but to say that those inhabitants of the kingdom of God who mourn - whatever the cause of mourning - are blessed. Why?

The reason given by our Lord is that "they shall be comforted." Now this may seem like a strange reason, but consider: all men and women who do not belong to the kingdom of God may be comforted now, but soon will find themselves suffering the just and eternal wrath of God. The case of the disciple of Jesus is radically different: they may have suffering now but their suffering will one day be replaced with the unfettered and unhindered experience of the everlasting love and comfort of the God of heaven.

But I think there is another reason. Suffering enlarges the soul and expands our capacity to enjoy God in ways that would have been impossible otherwise. This is especially true in the fallen state in which we live. When a moth emerges from its cocoon, it needs the struggle of breaking out to strengthen its wings and enable it to fly. In sort of the same way, we need trials to develop our spiritual lungs and heart and muscles so that we will pray and love and work for the Lord in joyful and fruitful abundance.

My mourning friend, if you belong to Christ, you can be sure of this: you will be blessed. For he "hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows" (Isa. 53:4), and by his atoning death he has redeemed us from every cause of sin and sorrow. The tear that stains your cheek will one day be wiped off by the God of heaven. "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy" (Ps. 126:5). Indeed, "weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning" (Ps. 30:5).