“Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. He said: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” - Matthew 5:1 - 4 (NIV)
Jesus wept over Lazarus -
“Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance.” - John 11:38 (NIV)
Jesus wept over Jerusalem -
“During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.” - Hebrews 5:7 (NIV)
The Bible never teaches us to deny our pain --->
“I weep with sorrow; encourage me by your word.” - Psalm 119:28 (NLT)
“I am worn out from sobbing. All night I flood my bed with weeping, drenching it with my tears.” - Psalm 6:6 (NLT)
“I am exhausted from crying for help; my throat is parched. My eyes are swollen with weeping, waiting for my God to help me” - Psalm 69:3 (NLT)
1.) It is a happiness that comes from sacrifice.
“Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.” - Luke 6:21 (NIV)
“For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” - Psalm 30:5 (NIV)
2.) It is a happiness we get when we are sorry for our sin!
“I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin.” - Psalm 38:18 (NIV)
“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” - Psalm 34:17 - 18 (NIV)
“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” -Joel 2:12 (NIV)
- If we are growing in Christ, we become sensitive to our sin.
3.) Happiness is discovered when we suffer the losses of life.
- Sorrow can be the source of some of the greatest discoveries in life.
+ It is in sorrow where we discover how solid or superficial our faith is.
+ It is in sorrow that we learn some of the most important lessons in life; you can’t love without suffering.
+ Mourning is the deeper side of loving. We mourn those we love.
“Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” - 1 Thessalonians 4:13, 18 (NIV)
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” - Romans 8:28 (NIV)
