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Sunday, February 8, 2009
Beyond Mourning
"What great blessings there are for the people that are sad
now! God will comfort them."
-- Matthew 5:4 (ERV)
KEY THOUGHT:
Paul told Christians in Rome, "Weep with those who weep" (Rom. 12:15).
Disciples face sadness for many reasons. Discipleship is not about
always being happy. It's about following the path of Jesus who was "a
man of sorrows and acquainted with grief" (Isa. 53:3). He surrendered
his rights to bless others. He surrendered his life to forgive the very
ones crucifying him. He saw through the facades of his culture and felt
the real needs of people whether they were ill, possessed, or simply
blind to the truth. To be a Christian -- a disciple of Jesus -- means
to care about people, their problems, and to "weep with those who
weep." But such mourning means comfort. Our sufferings, hardships, and
struggles will melt away in the eternal light of God's presence and
grace. Our heartbreak for those broken in our world will be replaced
with rejoicing when many we have loved join us at God's side eternally.
Those who mourn, who are deeply sad, they will be comforted!
TODAY'S PRAYER:
O God of all comfort, thank you for never abandoning me in the dark
hours of grief and pain. Thank you for listening to my complaints and
heartbreak when times are tough. Thank you for loving and not turning
away. I believe, dear Father, that all comfort comes from and is found
in you! So I ask that you help me see others in pain, that I might
share in bringing them your comfort. In Jesus' name. Amen.
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>> The WJD! web page has related scriptures and the
>> full text of today's key passage. Read it at:
http://www.heartlight.org/wjd/matthew/0208-wjd.html
>> For further study of today's passage, use our
>> online Bible study site: SearchGodsWord.org!
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Matthew+5:4&sr=1&t=erv
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