“Blessed [forgiven, refreshed by God’s grace] are those who mourn [over their sins and repent], for they will be comforted [when the burden of sin is lifted]. Matthew 5:4
To “mourn” is to recognize and feel sorrow over our own weakness in relation to God’s perfect standards and ultimate power. It, also, means grieving over the things that grieve God, such as the unfaithfulness, immorality and cruelty that are rampant in the world. Those who mourn over sin and its effect on people’s lives-and commit themselves to helping reduce people from evil-are comforted by receiving from God’s “righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17).
Today’s Bible Readings:
Exodus 17:8-19:15, Matthew 22:34-23:12, Psalm 27:7-14 and Proverbs 6:27-35