The Word of God for wisdom:
Proverbs 19:3 (ESV)
When a man's folly brings his way to ruin, his heart rages against the Lord.
Proverbs 19:23 (ESV)
The fear of the Lord leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm.
The Word of God for inspiration:
Psalm 17:6-7 (ESV)
6 I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my words. 7 Wondrously show your steadfast love, O Savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand.
The Word of God for encouragement:
Matthew 5:4 (ESV)
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
My observation:
There are some times in the life of God's people that things happen that result in them experiencing pain and suffering. The severity of this leads to grief and weeping in the depths of the soul. Whether this mourning is for sin or in suffering, there is a blessed hope of deliverance and relief for God's people.
The teaching of Jesus to the people was rooted in the Old Testament scriptures. In the previous beatitude, Jesus spoke of the poor in spirit. Notice what one of the prophets said about this.
Zephaniah 3:12 (HCSB)
I will leave a meek and humble people among you, and they will take refuge in the name of Yahweh.
In our focal passage for today, Jesus talked about those who mourn. Another of the prophets laments about this personally and for his nation.
Micah 7:1 (HCSB)
How sad for me! For I am like one who— when the summer fruit has been gathered after the gleaning of the grape harvest—{finds} no grape cluster to eat, no early fig, which I crave.
Yes, life is hard down here. However, God is good, and the best is yet to come. Jesus also taught his people to expect problems and difficulties in this world.
John 16:33 (HCSB)
I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world."
Oh, the peace that floods my soul when I think about the greatness, the goodness, and the grace of the Lord our God. Yes, you can make it if you hold on to God's unchanging hand.
Revelation 7:17 (HCSB)
For the Lamb who is at the center of the throne will shepherd them; He will guide them to springs of living waters, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.
My prayer:
Father God, my dear Father, I am so grateful, and I am so blessed by the blessing I have received from your gracious hands, and by the promises that awaits me. Father, I rejoice for the blessings, but I rejoice even more for the Blessor, my heavenly Father, who is the source of the blessings.
My song:
Through It All (Click on link below to listen to this song):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4V2Jzv_h7yo&feature=related
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http://www.herbcotton.org
To receive via email: Send request to me at: herb@herbcotton.org
2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
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