Daily Devotion

There are many things in the world that can cause us to mourn.

• We may mourn over the way our society seems to be shifting away from Jesus.
• We may mourn because our nation seems so divided.
• We may mourn over wars.
• We may mourn over the destructive choices a friend or family member are making.
• We may mourn over our sins.
• And, we may mourn over the death of a loved one.

Jesus said in His sermon on the mount that those who mourn are blessed.

Wait…what? How is it a blessing to mourn?

Mourning comes from a sense of loss, a sense that something isn’t right. This awareness is a blessing.

In the previous statement, Jesus said that those who are poor in spirit are blessed. The poor in spirit are those who are sinners and have nothing to offer God for their salvation. They are blessed because salvation is a gift. That passage doesn’t say anything about the poor in spirit recognizing they are poor in spirit. This verse does.

When we realize that we are poor in spirit, that we are sinners with nothing to offer God, it brings mourning. Our conscience tells us we are sinners. The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin. Even if we turn to the Bible to see how to live to try to make things right, even God’s Law shows us our sin all the more. We know something is wrong and there is nothing we can do about it. We mourn.

In this mourning, however, God blesses us. The Holy Spirit moves us to repentance and in repentance we hear the wonderful words of Christ…

“Your sins are forgiven!”

“But, God, I know what I’ve done!”

“Your sins are forgiven!”

“I have nothing to give, I’ve done nothing to make it right!”

“Jesus gave for you. He gave His life. He made it right. You don’t have to do anything but receive it. Your sins are forgiven!“

What great comfort! What a wonderful blessing!

Let’s pray…

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for the comfort You give us. Surely You have borne our griefs and carried our sorrows. Be with us when we mourn. Remind us of Your promises. We are truly blessed.

Amen.