Somber Spirit

Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4

We are apt to think, blessed are the merry, but Christ, who was himself a great mourner says, Blessed are the mourners. Those are God's mourners, who live a life of repentance, who lament the corruption of their nature, and their many actual transgressions, and God's withdrawings from them; and who, out of regard to God's honor, mourn also for the sins of others.

Now these gracious mourners are blessed. As in vain and sinful laughter the heart is sorrowful, so in gracious mourning the heart has a serious joy, a secret satisfaction, which a stranger does not inter-meddle with.

They are blessed, for they are like the Lord Jesus, who was a man of sorrows, and of whom we never read that He laughed, but often He wept. They are armed against the many temptations that attend vain mirth, and are prepared for the comforts of a sealed pardon and a settled peace.

For they shall be comforted--The happiness of heaven consists in being perfectly and eternally comforted, and in wiping away of all tears from their eyes.
(Matthew Henry)

Gracious mourning--heart as a serious joy--what I'm taking away from this is the fact that we are not to walk around with sad faces, wearing our emotions on the outside. But we are to focus on others and always be aware of our own short-comings in order for us to be on guard.

Mother Teresa comes to mind when I think of this beatitude. Her whole life was devoted to those who suffered in this world. Missionaries around the world have this gift; the concern for the lost is their reason for life on this earth.

Sometimes--just sometimes--I've had a brushing of this gift. At times I look at humanity around me and can feel the need--but then it's gone. Because I'm not quite there yet; when my reason for living becomes totally wrapped up in Christ Himself.