Meaningful Mourning

FRIDAY DEVOTIONAL SCRIPTURES:   MATTHEW 5:4 (The Message translation) 4 “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you." Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. (NKJV Translation) Meaningful Mourning Mourning was expressed in many ways in the Bible. Here is a list of a few examples. Can you find the common denominator? 1. by weeping #Ge 35:8 marg.; #Lu 7:38 etc. 2. by loud lamentation #Ru 1:9 1Sa 6:19 2Sa 3:31 3. by the disfigurement of the person, as a. rending the clothes #Ge 37:29, 34 Mt 26:65 b. wearing sackcloth #Ge 37:34 Ps 35:13 c. sprinkling dust or ashes on the person #2Sa 13:19 Jer 6:26 #Job 2:12 d. shaving the head and plucking out the hair of the head or beard #Le 10:6 Job 1:20 e. neglect of the person or the removal of ornaments #Ex 33:4 #De 21:12,13 2Sa 14:2 19:24 Mt 6:16,17 f. fasting #2Sa 1:12 g. covering the upper lip #Le 13:45 Mic 3:7 h. cutting the flesh #Jer 16:6,7 i. sitting in silence #Jud 20:26 2Sa 12:16 13:31 Job 1:20 These methods were to make a public display of a hurting, lonely, broken heart. Jesus gave the best way to handle the passing of a friend or loved one. The Bible says there is a time to morn and so mourning is not a bad thing. So in today’s verse we find how to make it a meaningful time. This verse says we are to be congratulated when we mourn because we shall be comforted. God cares when we are in pain and He is the remedy for a broken heart. Jesus wept on the occasion of the Lazarus death. Jesus weeps with you as you mourn and sets his plan to comfort you in action. He has designed a custom made comfort especially for you. Let your faith shine as you lean on Jesus in times of grief. He has promised to be there through it all.   Joy of His presence awaits you in the morning. PRAYER THOUGHT: Dear Heavenly Father I choose to lean on you and await your comfort with gratitude.